PROGRESS REPORT

The implementation of
the

2030
AGENDA
in Spain
PROGRESS REPORT
Implementation of the

2030
AGENDA
in Spain
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

SECRETARIAT OF STATE FOR INTERNATIONAL PRESIDENCY OF THE GOVERNMENT

COOPERATION AND FOR IBEROAMERICA AND THE HIGH COMMISSION FOR THE 2030 AGENDA
CARIBBEAN
Directorate-General for Sustainable Development
Policies

© Ministry of Foreign Affairs, European Union and

Cooperation

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4
 La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España

Contents

1. Introduction 7

2. Mechanisms and instruments of

strengthened coordination 8

3. Government action 13
3.1. Monitoring the commitments made
in the Government’s Action Plan 13
3.2. Other significant measures approved by the Council of Ministers 41
3.3. The Agenda for Change 44
3.4. Territorial cohesion 48

4. Localising the 2030 Agenda:

a multi-level action 50
4.1. Advances in the Autonomous Communities 50
4.2. Local governments 62

5. The commitment of all sectors 64

5.1. The business sector 64
5.2. The trade unions 66
5.3 . Universities and research centres 66
5.4 . Third-sector platforms and citizens’ networks 67
5.5. Organisations representative of social interests via
national consultative councils 70
5.6. Social economy and foundations 71
5.7. Groups of experts associated with the 2030 Agenda 72

6. Conclusions and future action:

accelerate to accomplish 73

5
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

6

1 Introduction
On 29 June 2018, the Council of Ministers
approved the “Action Plan for the implementation
1
of the 2030 Agenda” with the participation of all
Ministerial Departments and of the Autonomous
Communities, local entities and organisations
representing the entire spectrum of social and
economic agents. With this decision, and the
presentation of the Action Plan to the international
community via the Voluntary National Review at the
United Nations High Level Political Forum on 18
July 2018, the Government and the society of Spain
resolved to make the 2030 Agenda a national
project.
Since then, national, regional and local
administrations, citizens, social agents, businesses,
universities, research centres and civil society
organisations have joined forces and ideals in
unprecedented unanimity in Spain to achieve the
2030 Agenda and its 17 Sustainable Development
Goals (SDGs). The Government of Spain has taken
decisive steps towards fulfilling this commitment to
the SDGs, with the firm conviction that people and
the future of the planet must be at the heart of
political concerns. The 2030 Agenda has become
the focal point of our vision of State and represents
the way in which we wish to act in the world.
This Progress Report represents a major
commitment. Its purpose is to provide an account of
the actions taken by the Government and by other
agents and to reflect the progress achieved in
fulfilling the Action Plan during its first year of
existence. It also contains an annual compliance
report by the Government, as called for in the Action
Plan, taking into account that the urgent need to
accelerate global progress requires stronger
international monitoring and greater accountability.
1
Available at: https://www.agenda2030.gob.es/sites/default/files/recursos/PLAN%20DE%20ACCIÓN.pdf
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
Determining the present situation not only allows
us to measure the progress made, but also, and
more importantly, identifies the areas in which
delays persist and reveals the aspects that need to
be corrected in order to advance further. Monitoring,
thus, is an important incentive, motivating us to join
forces and to accelerate the progress and
adaptation needed in response to complex,
changing contexts.
The contents of this Report are structured around
main four points.
The first concerns the institutional strengthening
of the governance of the 2030 Agenda in Spain. The
second point is the accountability of the Spanish
Government’s action regarding the public policies
carried out in the last twelve months. In the third
point, the Report describes the progress made
towards localising the SDGs. In this respect, the
Autonomous Communities and the local entities
(through the Spanish Federation of Municipalities
and Provinces) narrate their own progress in
implementing the 2030 Agenda. The fourth and final
point focuses on the involvement of non-
governmental agencies and of civil society.
7
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

2 Mechanisms and
instruments of
strengthened
coordination

Following Spain’s presentation of its Voluntary

National Review to the High Level Political Forum in
July 2018, the High Commission has worked to create
a new structure for institutional governance. On 15
February 2019, to better coordinate the instruments
and agencies for implementation of the 2030 Agenda
and to avoid possible overlaps, the Council of
Ministers issued its “Report on coordination
mechanisms and instruments for the
2
implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Spain” ,
describing the governance model to be used for the
2030 Agenda.

This governance model is structured as shown below:

High-level group Council for

sustainable
development

National
Commission High-level group
for the meeting
2030 AGENDA

2
Available at: https://www.agenda2030.gob.es/sites/default/files/INFORME_DE_GOBERNANZA_AC_2030_1.pdf

8
 La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España

Governance chart for the 2030 Agenda in Spain

Presidency
of the
Government

Ministry for High-level

Territorial Policy Group
Delegate and the Civil Meeting
Committee Service
for
Economic
Affairs Annual Meeting to
coordinate the
governance bodies
for the 2030
High AGENDA
Commission
for the
2030 AGENDA

High Commission

High- Council for 2030 AGENDA

level Sustainable National
group Development Committee
High-
Agency for civil society level
Governance and Group
participation, dialogue and Cooperation with
leadership of the
advice within the scope of public territorial
2030 AGENDA
the 2030 Agenda administrations
within the Government

chaired by the Vice- chaired by the

Minister for Territorial Council for
President of the
2030 AGENDA Policy and the Civil Sustainable
Government
Service Development
composed of: _________________
composed of:
9 Ministers
48 civil society
20 Secretaries of State organisations and 2 17 Autonomous
members of the 2030 Communities, National
The High National Committee Commission for
Commissioner for the 2 autonomous cities, the 2030
2030 Agenda, the Spanish AGENDA
The Federation of
Ambassador-
at-Large, Municipalities and

The High Provinces (FEMP),

Commissioner for one DG from each Congress-Senate
combating child Joint Commission
poverty Ministry and the
Secretary of State for
Territorial Policy.
Inter-Ministerial
work group

Interministerial
technical
coordination

9
 INFORME DE PROGRESO
High-level Group
3 4
The High Level Group is chaired by the Vice-
President of the Government, and includes nine
Ministers, 20 senior government officials
(Secretaries-General or Under-Secretaries). Other
members of the Group include the High
Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda, the High
Commissioner for Combating Child Poverty and the
Ambassador-at-large for the 2030 Agenda. A
schedule of two meetings per year is foreseen for
addressing the following functions assigned to this
Group:
• Distribute the content of the 2030 Agenda to the
relevant departments.
• Promote the integration of the SDGs and their
targets into the respective national policy
frameworks.
• Analyse the plans and strategies submitted by
the Delegate Committee for Economic Affairs to
achieve the 2030 Agenda.
• Facilitate communication with civil society.
• Create working groups related to the SDGs,
composed according to the topic to be
addressed.
In addition, an Interministerial Working Group
for the 2030 Agenda has been created, to promote
technical collaboration and coordination among the
Ministries involved. This Group is chaired by the
High Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda, and
includes a representative from each of the
Ministries, the High Commissioner for combating
Child Poverty, the Commissioner for Demographic
Challenge, the Ambassador on Special Mission for
the 2030 Agenda and representatives from the
Centre for Sociological Research (CIS), the National
Institute of Public Administration (INAP) and the
Economic and Social Council (CES).
3
Order PCI/383/2019, of 2 April, which published the decision taken by the Delegate Committee for Economic Affairs on 21
March 2019 to strengthen governance procedures for the 2030 Agenda, establishes the composition and operation of the High-
level Group.
4
Order PCI/169/2019, of 22 February, creating the Council for Sustainable Development.
10
Council for Sustainable Development
The Council for Sustainable Development is
responsible for advising, assisting and providing a
channel of communication for the participation of
civil society in achieving the SDGs and the 2030
Agenda. It has the following specific functions:
• To advise the High Commissioner for the 2030
Agenda on the preparation and implementation
of the plans and strategies necessary for the
fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda.
• To generate documents and analysis concerning
policies to fulfil the 2030 Agenda.
• To contribute to universal information disclosure
regarding the 2030 Agenda.
• To promote dialogue among all social, economic
and cultural agents contributing to achievement
of the SDGs.
The Council for Sustainable Development is chaired
by the High Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda and
includes the following members:
• Representatives of civil society and two
representatives from the agency for territorial
cooperation (National Committee for the 2030
Agenda).
• 11 representatives of the business
sector and the trades unions.
• 14 representatives of the leading third-
sector citizen platforms and networks.
• 10 representatives of organisations of
social interest elected via State
advisory councils.
• 3 representatives of the Social Economy
and Foundations sector.
• 3 representatives of the university
system and research centres.
• 2 representatives of the networks of
experts linked to the 2030 Agenda.
• 5 independent experts.
The Council for Sustainable Development was
inaugurated in February 2019 by the President of
the Government and by the UN Deputy Secretary
General, Ms. Amina J Mohammed.
 La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España

National Commission High-level Group Meeting

for the 2030 Agenda
5 be held to prepare the annual report of the bodies
The National Commission for the 2030 Agenda
promotes and facilitates cooperation in this respect
between the Central Government, the Autonomous
Communities, the cities of Ceuta and Melilla and
local administrations. It has the following functions:
• To provide a channel for cooperation,
collaboration, communication and information
between the Central State Administration, the
Autonomous Communities, the cities of Ceuta
and Melilla and local administrations, to facilitate
joint actions in pursuit of a common goal.
• To adopt joint plans, of a multilateral nature,
between the Central State Administration, the
Autonomous Communities, the cities of Ceuta
and Melilla and local administrations, to facilitate
joint actions in pursuit of a common goal.
• To provide information on the 2030 Agenda to
raise awareness and enhance understanding of
this issue within society.
• To promote efforts to address the SDGs by each
of the Sectoral Conferences concerned.
This Commission is chaired by the Minister for
Territorial Policy and the Civil Service and has three
Vice-Presidencies, held by the High Commissioner
for the 2030 Agenda, a representative of the
Autonomous Communities and a representative of
the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and
Provinces (FEMP).
In order to improve coordination among
administrations, the different SDGs will be assigned to
the respective Sectoral Conferences by the Ministry of
Territorial Policy and the Civil Service, thus providing
sectoral and territorial linkage with the 2030 Agenda.
This action will enhance the National Commission’s
effectiveness in promoting efforts to address the
SDGs.
An annual meeting of the High-level Group will
6
coordinating the 2030 Agenda, as called for in the
section of the Action Plan related to monitoring,
accountability and evaluation.
This meeting will be coordinated by the Vice-
President of the Government and will be attended
by the High Commissioner for the 2030 Agenda and
by representatives of the High-level Group, the
Council for Sustainable Development, the National
Commission for the 2030 Agenda and the Senate-
Congress Joint Commission.
Senate-Congress Joint Commission
Another of the fundamental institutional
instruments involved in the construction of this new
governance is the Senate-Congress Joint
Commission.
In 2018, to put into effect the unanimous decision
of the Senate, the High Commissioner for the 2030
Agenda held meetings with the President of the
Senate and the President of the Congress of
Deputies to promote its implementation. In
consequence, the Joint Commission for the
coordination and monitoring of the Spanish
strategy to achieve the SDGs was set up on 5
February 2019. This Commission met three times
before Parliament was dissolved in March 2019.
From the outset, Parliament has played a
fundamental role in promoting the 2030 Agenda, by
putting into practice political and legislative
initiatives and by preparing and approving the
General State Budget.

5
Section II of the Report on coordination mechanisms and instruments to implement the 2030 Agenda in Spain
requires the creation of the National Commission for the 2030 Agenda.
6
As required in section IV of the Report on coordination mechanisms and instruments to implement the 2030 Agenda in
Spain.

11
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

The High Commission for the 2030 Agenda has Finally, and due to its international significance, it
conducted the following Parliamentary activity: is important to note the visit made by the Deputy
• Appearance before the Senate Committee for Secretary-General of the United Nations, Ms. Amina
International Development Cooperation, to J. Mohammed, to the Congress of Deputies on 26
report on issues related to the Study Paper on February, where she was welcomed by the
defining, developing and coordinating the President of the Government in support of efforts to
Spanish Strategy to achieve the SDGs. At this fulfil the 2030 Agenda, not only by the Presidency
appearance, on 17 October, the High but also by the leading national institutions.
Commissioner emphasised the importance of
her role as the driving force behind the 2030
Agenda in Spain. In addition, she explained the
actions taken to put into practice the Action Plan
for the Implementation of the 2030 Agenda. She
underscored the need to work in close
coordination with all parties concerned, and
highlighted the essential role to be played by
Parliament and by the (at that time) proposed
Senate-Congress Joint Commission.
• On 28 January 2019, appearance before the
International Cooperation Committee of the
Congress of Deputies to report on the 2019
General State Budget. In this first appearance,
the High Commissioner explained how the 2030
Agenda was addressed in the draft 2019
General State Budget and presented the
calculations made in the study performed in this
respect. The High Commissioner observed that
this was the first such exercise of alignment with
a General Budget to be conducted. With respect
to the 2020 budget, the High Commissioner
proposed the creation of a method to be shared
with other Ministries and public agencies to
achieve this alignment, as a Transformative
Measure within the 2030 Agenda Action Plan
presented to the UN in July 2018.

12

3 Government action
The action taken by the Government of Spain is
reflected, firstly, in the advances made towards
carrying out the transformative measures and lever
policies stipulated in the Action Plan for the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda, and secondly,
in the measures adopted by the Council of Ministers
that have a direct impact on the achievement of the
SDGs. Chief among these are actions related to the
7
approval of the “Programme for Change” that
underpins the Government's economic programme
within the framework of the 2030 Agenda.
Finally, the Government has taken action to
improve territorial cohesion, such as the National
Strategy in response to the Demographic Challenge.
In December 2018, the National Statistics
Institute (INE) created a section on its website
concerning the 2030 Agenda indicators, reporting
the results obtained in this respect by Spain in the
United Nations global framework. The indicators
published were supplied both by INE and also by
the relevant ministerial departments, referring to
elements of the 2017-2020 National Statistical Plan.
This list of indicators will subsequently be expanded
to include those for which there is currently no
information and for which existing statistical
operations will need to be extended or new ones
launched.
3.1 Monitoring the commitments made in the
Government's Action Plan
Lever policies
Lever policies are those aimed at
accelerating the implementation of the SDGs,
promoting coherent sustainable development
and achieving a faster and more sustained
impact on key aspects, thus furthering
progress within the 2030 Agenda. They
should be viewed as transversal instruments
that facilitate the generation of synergies,
7
http://www.mineco.gob.es/stfls/mineco/ministerio/ficheros/190208_agenda_del_cambio.pdf
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
Monitoring the actions of those working to
achieve the 2030 Agenda will reveal the progress
achieved, identify the challenges remaining to be
addressed and highlight negative aspects that must
be corrected. Furthermore, the Action Plan has
identified a set of lever policies and
transformative measures that should be applied in
key areas of action to speed up the implementation
of the SDGs in Spain.
The purpose of the Official Credit Institute is to
support and promote activities that contribute to the
growth and distribution of national wealth. It does so
by promoting innovative, sustainable and
international business projects that make our
country grow and which contribute directly to the
achievement of the 17 SDGs, in the view that
sustainability is of vital importance.
Given the integrated and transversal nature of
these policies and measures, it should be noted that
the efforts made to ensure the progress and
implementation of the Action Plan were made with
the active participation of various ministerial
departments. The advances made are detailed
below.
thus connecting diverse actors, sectors and policies
within an integral, common vision. As part of the
Action Plan, nine such policies have been approved,
but given the importance of some of the actions
involved, these policies have been expanded. A
major example of this is the 2018-2020 Master Plan
for Decent Work, which was approved by the
Council of Ministers at its meeting on 27 July 2018.
13
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

LEVER POLICIES

I. PREVENTING AND II. EQUAL III. THE URBAN

COMBATING OPPORTUNITIES: AGENDA IN SPAIN
POVERTY, STRATEGIC PLAN
INEQUALITY AND
SOCIAL EXCLUSION

IV. THE CIRCULAR V. LEGISLATION ON VI. SCIENTIFIC AND

ECONOMY CLIMATE CHANGE TECHNICAL RESEARCH
AND ENERGY FOR THE SDGs
TRANSITION

VII. THE SOCIAL VIII. PLAN FOR OPEN IX. SPANISH

ECONOMY: STRATEGY GOVERNMENT COOPERATION: A
2017-2020 RENEWED APPROACH
TO THE SDGs

14

I. Preventing and combating
poverty, inequality and social
exclusion
Advances, achievements and results
In March 2019, the 2019-2023 National
Strategy to Prevent and Combat Poverty and
Social Exclusion was approved, in a broad-based
participatory process. The aim of the Strategy is to
achieve cohesion and social progress, meeting
the needs of citizens, especially those of vulnerable
groups in situations of poverty or exclusion. The
Strategy is based on four main goals: fighting
poverty, especially that affecting the most
vulnerable areas of society; social investment in
people (education, training and employment);
consolidating a universal, high-quality system of
public healthcare, education and social services;
and enhancing the effectiveness and efficiency
of policies.
These lines of action will be addressed via
annual operational plans, setting specific targets,
allocating budgets and identifying the entities
responsible for each of the tasks described in the
strategy.
Ensuring that all citizens have equal access to an
extensive catalogue of high-quality health services
was one of the reasons why a universal National
Health System was designed in Spain in the 1980s.
The aim was to create a system of health services,
and of primary health care in particular, to enable all
citizens, regardless of their socioeconomic status, to
access a shared space of quality service. When
public services are used by people of all social
backgrounds, the overall level of service quality
rises. For this reason, the Government recovered
the universality of health care through Royal
Decree-Law 7/2018, approved on 27 July by the
Council of Ministers, on universal access to the
National Health System. This decision was taken
as a matter of urgent necessity in view of the vital
role played by health systems in alleviating the
effects of other determinants of inequality.
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
Another factor taken into account is that the
provision of adequate health care raises the income
of all households; in Spain, the system raises the
disposable income of the richest 20% of the
population by 7% while that of the households in the
poorest 20% of the population benefit by 35%.
It is also important to note that in December 2018
the Council of Ministers approved an increase in
the minimum wage to 900 euros per month for
2019. This measure is intended to prevent poverty
among those in work, to increase the standard of
living of the lowest paid, such as women and young
people, and to encourage a more dynamic pattern of
salary growth, in line with international
recommendations.
Other important actions taken in the last year
include:
• The creation of the High Commission for
Combating Child Poverty.
• The publication of a territorial map of child
poverty, in collaboration with the National
Statistics Institute (INE) and the National Tax
Authority.
• The design and implementation during two
consecutive summers of the Programme to
Guarantee Children’s Right to Food, Leisure and
Culture during School Holidays (VECA), which
offers vulnerable children leisure and cultural
activities and guarantees them a healthy and
balanced diet during the summer.
• An increase in the social benefits paid per dependent
child.
• The approval of a National Strategy against Energy
Poverty.
• The revaluation of over 10.3 million pensions.
• The reform of civil and procedural legislation
regarding disability.
15
 INFORME DE PROGRESO
With respect to employment, the following
major plans have been approved:
• The 2019-2021 Reincorpora-t Plan (Back 2
Work), to prevent and reduce long-term
unemployment.
• The 2019 Annual Policy Plan for employment.
• The 2019-2020 Action Plan of the Spanish
Strategy for Safety and Health at Work,
during the period 2015-2020.
• The Plan for Youth Employment.
• The revaluation of pensions and an additional
increase for minimum pensions.
• The recovery of employment benefits for
those aged over 52 years.
• The recovery of Social Security rights for non-
professional caregivers
• Improved social protection for the self-employed.
• Expanded family assistance for dependent children
(part of the fight against child poverty).
• Extended rights in employment equality:
prolongation of childbirth leave to 16 weeks; official
recognition of real working hours; employment
equality plans in companies with more than 50
workers; right to adapt the duration and distribution
of the work day to materialise the right to the
reconciliation of personal, family and work life.
• Plan for workers to return to Spain.
With respect to migration, which is a strategic
issue for Spain, the following measures, among
others, have been taken:
• Legislative Order for the collective management of
employment contracts in the country of origin.
• The endowment of a State fund for the integration of
immigrants.
• Royal Decrees providing financial assistance for
those providing attention to immigrants.
16
Next steps
Following approval of the 2019-2023 National
Strategy to Prevent and Combat Poverty and
Social Exclusion, the next step is to facilitate the
Annual Operational Plans for its execution,
specifying the actions, resources and indicators that
will be needed. The Autonomous Communities and
local authorities will be invited to collaborate in
preparing the Operational Plans and their role in
performing these activities will be considered.
In addition, the first drafts of the Third National
Strategic Plan for Children and Adolescents and
the Second National Human Rights Plan are
being prepared. That of the 2019-2023 National
Alzheimer's Plan is also at an advanced stage.
In the 2019 Budget, the Ministry of Health,
Consumer Affairs and Social Welfare proposed the
progressive elimination of co-payments for Social
Security beneficiaries. Specifically, this involved the
elimination of the economic barriers posed by
pharmaceutical co-payments for pensioners with
incomes below €11,200 and for recipients of Social
Security economic benefits for dependent children.
This measure will be re-addressed in the
forthcoming Budget. Efforts will also continue to
promote the proposed draft Organic Law on the
Comprehensive Protection of Children and
Adolescents against Violence, the first reading of
which was approved by the Council of Ministers on
28 December 2018 and for which all the mandatory
reports have been produced.
 La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España

II. Equal opportunities: Strategic Plan

Advances, achievements and results Progress has been made in this area, intersecting with
that produced by other sectoral policies. For example, the
Some of the most important measures in the First International Conference of Women in the
Strategic Plan for Equal Opportunities were initiated Fisheries Industry was organised in collaboration with
in late 2018 and early 2019. The recent approval of FAO, and resulted in the publication of statistics on the
Royal Decree-Law 6/2019, of March 1, on urgent sector with gender-specific information to highlight the
measures to ensure equal treatment and opportunities current status and to provide a more solidly grounded basis
between women and men in employment and for the policies to be applied in this area.
occupation reflect the very important progress made in With respect to equal opportunities, the Ministry
narrowing the wage gap and in guaranteeing workers’ of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food (MAFF) has
right to family conciliation and joint responsibility. The implemented measures aimed at facilitating the
Royal Decree-Law extends birth and child care leave access of artisanal fishers to marine resources and
in a schedule by which the two parents will markets, supporting initiatives such as the Lonja
progressively achieve equal rights, introduces the Project 4.0 and other measures to support producer
concept of “work of equal value”, requires the organisations in the fisheries industry.
employer to maintain a salary record that workers can
access, and extends the mandatory nature of Equality Next steps
Plans to companies with 50 or more workers. Another
major aspect of the Plan, within the framework of the
The Strategic Plan for Equal Opportunitie, to be
new social pact, is its commitment to the full inclusion
applied in the next three years, is pending approval.
of women in the new economic environment,
th This Plan is the instrument by which the Government
promoting the 4 Industrial Revolution with measures
defines, for areas that are the responsibility of the State,
such as training programmes for women in scientific
the objectives and priority measures to be taken to
and technological skills in all stages of life and backing
eliminate gender-based discrimination and to achieve
initiatives to raise the profile of leading women in the
the goal of equality between women and men (Article
STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and
17 of Organic Law 3/2007, of 22 March, for the effective
mathematics).
equality of women and men). The Plan is composed of
Among other efforts to combat the violence suffered
four main focuses of attention – gender transversality,
by women for reasons of gender, addressed in the
a new social pact, citizenship, and violence against
State Pact against Gender Violence, several regulatory
women - with 18 areas of intervention and 101 specific
instruments have been approved, including Royal
measures.
Decree-Law 9/2018, of 3 August, on Urgent Measures
In addition, the MAFF is working on a forthcoming
to Develop the State Pact regarding Gender Violence;
Action Plan for women in the rural environment. The
Organic Law 5/2018, of 28 December, on the Reform
measures contemplated in this Plan include the
of Organic Law 6/1985, of 1 July, on the Judiciary, on
incorporation of the gender perspective into
urgent measures to apply the State Pact in the field of
negotiations regarding the Common Agricultural Policy
gender violence, to put into effect all measures related
post 2020, as a specific objective of this policy; support
to the training and specialisation of judicial officials; and
for associations of women in rural areas; the
Law 3/2019, of 1 March, on assisting children who are
development of multi-regional training plans; the award
orphans as a result of gender violence and other forms
of prizes of excellence in innovation for women in rural
of violence against women. In addition, budget
areas; and work to raise awareness of the regime of
schedules have been adopted to transfer to the
shared ownership of agricultural holdings.
Autonomous Communities and local authorities the
Another important event in this context is the sixth
funds allocated in the State Pact to develop the
edition of the National Congress of the Spanish
measures that are the responsibility of the territorial
Women's Network in the Fisheries Industry, which will
administrations.
be held in Gijón on 5-6 November.

17
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

III. The urban agenda in Spain

Advances, achievements and results Next steps

The Spanish Urban Agenda (SUA) was
Taking into account the multilevel nature of the
approved by the Council of Ministers on 22 February
Agenda and its integration into the activities of all
2019 as a national urban policy to underpin and
types of public administration, the development of
inspire sustainable urban policies with social,
action plans will first be promoted by the
environmental and economic objectives. This
Autonomous Communities, the local authorities and
Agenda coordinates the competencies of all the
other agents, both public and private, with the
agents involved and optimises channels of
capacity to intervene in sustainable urban
collaboration between territorial administrations.
8 development. Furthermore, a specific Action Plan for
The SUA is of a strongly transversal nature, as
the Central State Administration is being developed,
reflected in its ten strategic objectives: territory and
in relation to regulatory modifications, improvements
biodiversity, urban planning, climate change, in planning and governance (aimed at improving
sustainable resource management and the circular collaboration among public administrations at all
economy, sustainable mobility, cohesion and social
levels) and additional resources for training and
fairness, urban economy, housing, digital innovation
information compilation and disclosure.
and instruments for intervention and governance.
The SUA focuses on over 90 of the 169 targets in
the 2030 Agenda. Although this document is
strategic and non-normative document, i.e. non-
binding, proposals have been made for its
implementation in certain municipalities (there exists
a pilot project for the SUA Action Plan in A Coruña),
universities (the SUA is included in the syllabus of
the School of Architecture at Universidad Politécnica
de Madrid), foundations (some already exist and are
working with the SUA, while others are planned to
do so) and Autonomous Communities (among
others, Andalusia and the Basque Country). In
addition, 173 towns and cities have been selected to
develop strategies for sustainable, integrated urban
development, and specific funding has been
allocated to the corresponding projects. Progress has
been made in this area, intersecting with that produced by
other sectoral policies.

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IV.The circular economy
Advances, achievements and results
The Spanish Strategy for a Circular Economy
(SSCE) project has been prepared and is ready to
be approved by the Council of Ministers. This
strategy will strengthen the Pact for a circular
economy, based on the adoption of circular
measures in the productive sector and throughout
society. The Strategy is accompanied by the First
Action Plan, which will contribute to achieving SDGs
2, 6, 8, 9, 11, 12, 13, 14 and 15 of the 2030 Agenda
For this purpose, the Plan includes 74 lines of action
and over 110 specific measures.
In addition, an Action Plan for plastics is being
prepared, in accordance with the guidelines offered
by the European Commission in its European
Plastics Strategy, in order to address the serious
problem posed to the environment by plastic waste.
Work is also continuing to develop regulations for
the criteria of “end-of-waste condition” for
mechanically recycled plastics, as well for recovered
paper and cardboard.
In this area, too, support is being offered for
innovative projects to improve the health of the
oceans, such as the ML STYLE Project, which
seeks to clean up the oceans with the help of fishing
boats and by encouraging the reuse of marine
waste, such as nets and plastics, in the manufacture
of fabrics and clothing.
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
Next steps
The next steps in this process include the formal
approval of the SSCE and the Action Plan for
plastics. The governance model for the SSCE will be
complemented with the creation and implementation
of the Circular Economy Council, a public-private
partnership forum in which the Autonomous
Communities will participate. The adoption of the
SSCE is expected to lever the development of
similar instruments at the regional and local levels.
In the coming months, bulletins on the circular
economy will be issued, promoting awareness of
good practices in this area. Regarding the treatment
of wastewater, and to further align water policies
with the ecological transition, the National Plan for
Purification, Sanitation, Efficiency, Saving and
Reuse (PSESR Plan) is now being prepared.
Among other issues, special attention will be paid
to making use of the potential of wastewater
treatment to achieve advances in the circular
economy, to use sewage sludge to generate energy
and, potentially, to integrate these three phases to
enhance global efficiency in terms of energy and
resources. The draft Plan will be published in the
spring of 2020, so that the results of this special
planning process can be incorporated into the third
cycle hydrological plans (2021-2027).
Finally, in line with the European strategy in this
respect, work is currently under way on updating
and reviewing the current Spanish strategy for
bioeconomy, known as Horizon 2030, incorporating
the principles of the circular economy and seeking to
promote the efficient use of the biological resources
derived from our agri-food and forestry sectors.
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 INFORME DE PROGRESO

V.Legislation on climate change and energy transition

Advances, achievements and results Next steps

The Strategic Energy and Climate Framework, The Law on Climate Change and Energy
composed of the Draft Law on Climate Change Transition is currently passing through the
and Energy Transition, the National Integrated mandatory parliamentary procedures, before its
Plan for Energy and Climate and the Strategy for definitive approval by the Council of Ministers and
a Fair Transition, is a fundamental instrument for presentation to Parliament for entry into force.
promoting the transformation required of Spain by Work is also advancing on the final document of
the 2030 Agenda. the National Integrated Plan for Energy and Climate
The Draft Law on Climate Change and Energy so that it may be referred to the European
Transition, which was presented in July 2018, was Commission, and on the Strategy for a Fair
approved by the Council of Ministers on 22 February Transition to be revised and updated following the
2019. This law corresponds to Spain’s international process of public consultation.
commitment to decarbonise its economy, and
represents an economic opportunity to modernise
the country and to reap social benefits from the
resulting increase in employment.
The Strategy for a Fair Transition includes
instruments to optimise the employment
opportunities presented by the transition, through
vocational training frameworks, active employment
policies, support measures with a special focus on
strategic sectors, and plans to reactivate the
territories that may be affected by this process so
that none are left behind. The Strategy, the first of
its kind in the world, will be presented as a good
practice at the UN Climate Action Summit to be held
on 23 September 2019, at which Spain will head the
Group for a Fair Transition.
The goals of the National Integrated Plan for
Energy and Climate 2021-2030 are to reduce
greenhouse gas emissions, expand the use of
renewable energies and enhance energy efficiency.
According to the European Climate Foundation, this
Plan is the best of those presented by the EU
Member States. The aim of this Foundation is to
help Europe promote the development of a low-
emission society and to foster even stronger
international leadership to mitigate climate change.

20

VI. Scientific and technical research for the SDGs
Advances, achievements and results
Among others, the following urgent measures
have been undertaken to reduce precariousness
and achieve greater stability in knowledge
acquisition and innovation: enabling indefinite
employment contracts for researchers engaged in
scientific projects; approving the Statute for Trainee
Research Personnel; aligning salary scales for
research personnel; stabilising and rejuvenating the
staffing structure for scientific, technical and
management personnel; and approving one of the
largest public employment offers of recent years in
public research organisations.
Another important initiative, in early 2019, was the
approval of Royal Decree-Law 3/2019 on urgent
measures in the fields of science, technology,
innovation and university, aimed at simplifying the
administrative burdens of science and facilitating the
work of the scientific community. In March 2019, the
Spanish Strategy for R&D&I in Artificial
Intelligence, the embryo of the future National
Strategy for Artificial Intelligence, was approved. On
10 January 2019, the Women, Science and
Innovation Observatory was created. This web
portal for gender equality seeks to raise the profile of
women in scientific and technological fields and in
universities, and to advocate regulatory changes to
guarantee equal opportunities for women and to
increase their presence in the scientific world.
It should be noted that on the occasion of the
commemoration of World Science Day for Peace and
Development, established in 2001 by the United
Nations, all parliamentary groups signed an
Institutional Declaration in the Senate supporting the
human right to science.
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
R&D&I can play a fundamental role in addressing
questions such as the demographic challenge and
the differences between rural and urban areas. In
this respect, the following measures have been
taken:
• The Digitalisation Agenda for the agri-food
and forestry sectors and the rural
environment was approved by the Council of
Ministers on 29 March. This Agenda has two
main goals: firstly, to support and promote the
digital transformation of the agri-food sector and
the rural environment, to create attractive living
and working conditions, thus promoting the
stable existence of an active population in rural
Spain; and at the same time, to contribute to the
achievement of a more competitive and
sustainable agri-food sector.
• The National Rural Development Programme
has been created to foster the development of
supra-regional operational groups and the
execution of innovative projects in the agri-food,
forestry and rural areas, within the framework of
the European Commission’s agricultural
European Innovation Partnership (EIP-AGRI
initiative.
• In this regard, it is important to protect research
results, through patents or utility models. We also
call attention to the need to grant exclusive rights
to protect creativity and innovation, through
industrial brands or designs. By doing so,
incentives can be created for the private and
public sectors to allocate the resources needed
to develop a long-term sustainable innovation
strategy, thus contributing to achieving the
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 INFORME DE PROGRESO

SDGs.

22

Next steps
Consideration is being given to the adoption of a
State Pact for Science and Innovation with the
following basic goals:
• To maintain and strengthen a ministerial
structure that preserves and consolidates the
integration of the entire knowledge and
innovation system, including the universities.
• To generate a trend of sustained growth of the
General State Budget in the fields of higher
education, scientific research and civil
innovation, to regain the allocation of 2.5% of the
Budget to civil R&D&I.
• To encourage private investment to rise to at
least 2% of GDP (current EU average),
recovering as a strategic objective the European
horizon of 3% of GDP.
• To guarantee the independence of agencies and
organisations for science and innovation.
Work has begun on the preparation and adoption
of the Spanish Strategy for Science, Technology
and Innovation 2021-2027, to ensure that State
and regional plans and financing instruments are
aligned with the SDGs. In the next programming
period of EU funds, R&D will foreseeably play a
major role.
Gender equality policies are expected to make
further progress in eliminating the glass ceiling,
narrowing the gender pay gap and promoting the
presence of women in science. Other areas of
interest include the definition and reinforcement of
the scientific research career, from the outset, with
stable contracts and fair and inclusive evaluations.
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
In addition, actions are planned to achieve
international recognition of the human right to
science, with particular reference to the SDGs.
Moreover, steps will be taken to foster a more
innovative and sustainable system of public
procurement, incorporating social, ethical and
environmental considerations into all its processes
and phases.
The future National Artificial Intelligence
Strategy will address the ethical dimension in a
transversal way, situating the humanistic dimension
at the focal point of the development of these
technologies. This outlook will facilitate the provision
of adequate resources and lead to concrete actions
being taken in human and social sciences in the
field of artificial intelligence.
At the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries and Food
(MAFF), the first biennial action plan for the
digitalisation strategy is being finalised, and its
approval is expected before the end of the year,
thus enabling the implementation of various aspects
of the Strategy during the next two years.
Finally, the Secretariat-General for Fisheries,
within MAFF, is developing an internal instrument to
eliminate illegal, unreported, unregulated and
destructive fishing practices. This instrument will
integrate information from the last ten years of
operations by ships from third countries, to perform
a risk analysis not previously available from Spain’s
Integrated Fishing Information System.
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 INFORME DE PROGRESO
VII. The 2017-2020 Social Economy Strategy
Advances, achievements and results
Beyond all doubt, the business model of the
social economy, which is vital to well-being and
employment, has a leading role to play in
implementing the 2030 Agenda. In this respect, and
within the framework of the 2017-2020 Social
9
Economy Strategy , the following major actions
have been undertaken:
• Activities to enhance the visibility of social
economy entities and to communicate their
activity, via the provision of statistical data, the
edition of specific publications and presence at
conferences, seminars, etc.
• The elimination of barriers preventing or limiting
the development of social economy entities, for
example by putting into practice a national on-
line registry of cooperatives.
• Supporting business consolidation and growth in
the social economy, especially by means of
annual calls for applications for grants for
associations of the self-employed, for the social
economy and for corporate social responsibility.
• Promoting institutional participation in the social
economy through presence in consultative
bodies, at state and territorial levels, fostering
collaboration and coordination.
• Developing the social economy, within the
framework of the International Agenda, and
especially in Latin America, Europe and the
Mediterranean, through participation in groups,
networks and programmes sharing this ambition,
thus strengthening ties with other countries in
this field.
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Available at: https://www.boe.es/diario_boe/txt.php?id=BOE-A-2018-3857
24
• Participation by the social economy in implementing
the SDGs, with presence at forums and conferences.
Especially important in this respect is the involvement
of the Ministry of Labour, Migration and Social Security
in the Monitoring Committee of the National Action
Plan for Business and Human Rights .
• Support for research-based actions, in
collaboration with universities, research centres
and editorial boards.
• Issuance by the Official Credit institute (ICO) of
social bonds. These bonds, issued in Spain for
the first time between 2015 and 2019, have
contributed to the preservation and/or generation
of 270,000 jobs in the most disadvantaged
regions of Spain, where GDP is below the
national average.
Next steps
The Ministry of Labour, Migration and Social
Security will continue to apply the 2017-2020 Social
Economy Strategy, with its 11 lines of action and
63 specific measures. When so required under the
system of devolved government powers, the
activities concerned will be undertaken by the
Autonomous Communities.

VIII. Plan for open government
Advances, achievements and results
Since Spain joined the Open Government
Partnership in 2011, three Open Government Plans
have been published. The Third Plan (2017-2019),
which is currently being applied, was designed with
the participation of all levels of public administration
– national, regional and local – and of civil society. It
includes 223 measures, divided into 20
commitments and with five main priorities:
collaboration, participation, transparency,
accountability and training.
As of 31 March 2019, 136 of these measures
(61%) had concluded and another 67 (30%) were
continuing. Among others, the following advances
have been made:
• The creation of an open government forum,
providing a space for dialogue and
collaboration between government
administrations and civil society. The forum is
composed of 64 members – 32 from civil society
and 32 from public administrations – and
operates in full assembly, via standing
committees and via three collaborative,
participatory working groups, working on
transparency and accountability, training, and
awareness-raising. These groups meet every
three months to share experiences, to follow-up
commitments made and to discuss future
measures to be adopted.
• The development of the education for open
government project, with activities in primary
and secondary schools to promote skills for the
exercise of democratic citizenship, demanding
greater transparency of public authorities and
playing an active role in public affairs.
• The celebration of Open Administration week,
aimed at promoting transparency and
accountability, collaboration and citizens’
participation in public affairs.
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
With a view to increasing the efficiency of public
administration and making it more responsive to
citizens’ needs, measures have been taken to
defend and promote the independent, transparent
provision of justice, such as the reform of the
Judicial Process Act and actions to provide more
judicial units and resources, and to raise staffing
levels.
Next steps
The design has begun of the 2019-2021 Fourth
Open Government Plan, with the preparation of a
consensus document for the administrations
involved, national, regional and local, and civil
society, to establish its priorities.
In addition to the objectives related to
strengthening and improving the quality of citizen
participation and transparency, open data and
accountability, the plan aims to build a system of
public integrity, strengthening ethical values and
reinforcing the trust of citizens, as well as promoting
greater awareness among public employees and
society in general of the development of open
government values and their contribution to the
fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda.
In addition, a consultation process has been
initiated, as a result of which 130 citizens’ proposals
have been received for inclusion in this Fourth Plan.
These proposals will be evaluated in the open
government forum in accordance with the criteria
published online, giving special consideration to
actions aimed at promoting equality, social inclusion
and compliance with the 2030 Agenda.
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 INFORME DE PROGRESO
IX. Spanish Cooperation: a
renewed approach to the SDGs
Advances, achievements and results
Since the presentation of the Voluntary National
Review to the United Nations, Spain’s international
development cooperation policy has been
reinvigorated. The forthcoming programme for Spanish
Cooperation is set out in the 2019 Annual
Communication, which describes the substantial
progress made in this respect, although the freezing of
the General State Budget has severely limited the
possibility of further boosting the quantitative recovery
of Spain’s Official Development Assistance. This
regained activity has focused on restoring the former
relationships among all those involved in international
development cooperation, via ongoing dialogue and
based on the express recognition that development
cooperation policies must be constructed with the
participation of the Autonomous Communities,
municipal governments, NGDOs, universities, the
business world, trade unions, and all the individuals
working in this field, both professionals and volunteers.
The Secretariat of State for International Cooperation
and for Latin America and the Caribbean (SECIPIC)
and the Spanish Agency for International Development
Cooperation (AECID) are making all possible effort in
this regard and the Development Cooperation Council
has received a fresh impulse, with the full-hearted
collaboration of Spanish Cooperation, setting up
working groups on gender issues, childhood, system
capabilities, education for development and the 2030
Agenda. In addition, frameworks for joint action have
been renewed, with bodies such as the Conference of
Rectors of Spanish Universities (CRUE) and the
Spanish Federation of Municipalities and Provinces
(FEMP). A strategic framework for collaboration with
NGDOs has also been drafted.
26
In the multilateral sphere, a strengthened,
coherent and effective policy of sustainable
development has been developed, particularly
regarding European Union cooperation and the
strategic alliance with the United Nations. Spain has
expressed explicit, resolute support for the UN
Reform Process in general and the Development
System in particular, to adapt the UN to the 2030
Agenda. As a result of this commitment, a strategic
alliance has been established with the Office of the
Secretary-General, embodied in the Joint
Communiqué between Spain and the United Nations
to collaborate in sustainable development, which
was made public following the Spanish Prime
Minister’s meeting with the Deputy Secretary-
General during his visit of State to Spain in February
2019.
The first main tangible outcome of this alliance has
been Spain’s contribution of ten million euros to the
UN Joint SDG Fund, making our country the fourth
largest donor, together with support for reforming the
system of resident coordinators, who provide the
bedrock of UN actions for sustainable development.
The second visible result is the work undertaken to
establish Strategic Partnership Frameworks with the
main funds and programmes of the UN sustainable
development system. In this respect, agreements
have been signed with UN-Women, during the
Commission on the Status of Women in March, and
with UNDP in September. A similar framework
agreement with UNICEF is expected to be signed
before the end of 2019.
Fundamental relations with UNESCO in culture
and development have been recovered, and Spain's
commitment to the United Nations Agency for
Palestine Refugees (UNRWA) has been renewed with
an extraordinary contribution, at a particularly delicate
time for this organisation.

In a third aspect of its international development
cooperation actions, Spain has given international
prominence to “localising the SDGs”, in multi-party
collaborations and with an important role being played
by the FEMP. A High-level Meeting on this subject
was held in Seville in February 2019, an event that
was hailed internationally as the “Seville
Commitment”, reflecting the firm resolve of Spanish
Cooperation to strengthen the localisation of the
SDGs, at all levels, local, national and global.
In the European context, Spain is playing a leading
role in the negotiations of the text of the
Neighbourhood, Development and International
Cooperation Instrument (NDICI) within the framework
of the new European multiannual financial framework
for the period 2021-2027. The 2030 Agenda has been
reinforced as a benchmark, providing
methodological and evaluative framework for the new
single instrument and incorporating the impact on
development and the need for due diligence among
the fundamental principles of the mobilisation of
private investment.
The AECID presidency of the group of European
development agencies (the “Practitioners Network”)
since May 2019 has also helped strengthen dialogue
with the European Commission. During its
Presidency, AECID has sought to direct this network’s
activities towards the “5 Ps” of the 2030 Agenda, by
addressing issues such as migration, culture and
development and knowledge management.
Another key point is the boost given to achieving to
SDG 17, via alliances with our partner countries, with
all parties and at all levels, to implement the 2030
Agenda in a consistent manner in our cooperation.
After several years of absence, Country Association
Framework agreements for development have been
reached with Bolivia, the Dominican Republic, Peru
and Ecuador. Dialogue with Senegal and Cuba is at a
very advanced stage and the corresponding
agreements are expected to be signed shortly.
Spain has joined the EU Joint Programming
process to strengthen the coordination and alignment
of EU cooperation and Member States in the field,
and also forms part of the United Nations Cooperation
Framework (UNDAF).
The AECID is currently celebrating its 30th
anniversary, and is playing a strong role in generating
spaces for dialogue, knowledge and mutual
recognition among public institutions, civil society, the
academic world and the business sector. From this
standpoint,
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
specific instruments for development partnerships
have been promoted, such as the renewed Call for
Innovation Actions for 2019, with greater participation
by the private business sector, and further emphasis
on public-private partnerships, a novel aspect of which
is their current application to humanitarian action and
the incorporation of technological innovation through
the SHIRE Alliance. In addition, the agreement
between the AECID and 10 Autonomous
Communities to work together in promoting
humanitarian action has been renewed, with the
incorporation, moreover, of the FEMP. Among many
other advances, AECID has recovered the dimension
of culture as a catalytic element of the 2030 Agenda
and has emphasised the inclusion of gender equality
among its internal priorities and in its cooperation
a action.
Furthermore, the AECID has promoted a
Cooperation Strategy for Africa, focused on West
Africa and the Sahel; it will also support the Masar
Water Programme in Africa and the Middle East,
updating its gender component, and in Latin America,
the Workshop Schools Programme 2030 is being
carried out. Finally, a renewed strategic relationship
framework will be agreed with the NGDOs and other
actors, including the private sector.
After a broad consultative process, the new
Strategy for Humanitarian Action of Spanish
Cooperation has been adopted, setting priority lines
for the sectoral, geographical and strategic work of our
action in this field. During 2019, Spain will chair the
donor group in support of the UN Office for the
Coordination of Humanitarian Affairs, highlighting its
commitment to humanitarian diplomacy.
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 INFORME DE PROGRESO

TRANSFORMATIVE MEASURES
Transformative measures are actions and political initiatives intended for rapid implementation and which
provide an extraordinarily high potential for change, in terms of laying the foundations for the successful
deployment of lever policies and for the future Sustainable Development Strategy.

1. Locate the 2030 Agenda at 2. Foster alliances for the 3. Foster education for
the heart of Spain's identity SDGs among all parties, as sustainable development as a
in Europe, in the world and in transformation vectors fundamental pillar and achieve
multilateral politics SDG 4.7 by 2025

4. Inform to make known.

5. Foster culture as a crucial 6. Develop a civil service with
Raise awareness to bring
aspect of transformation the knowledge and
about change.
capabilities to implement the
Communicate to transform:
SDGs
a pact to convey the 2030
Agenda.

7. Budget appropriately for 8. Align public 9. Require a mandatory report

the SDGs: align the procurement with the on the regulatory impact
budgets of each of the SDGs. of legislative activity on the
ministerial departments SDGs

10. Align the 2030 Agenda

and the National Reform
Plan

28

1. Locate the 2030 Agenda at the heart of
Spain's identity in Europe, in the world and
in multilateral politics
Firmly support the progress, implementation and ambition of the 2030 Agenda in the EU and in all
international forums and institutions
Advances, achievements and results
At a time like the present, global leadership in
defence of the 2030 Agenda, the Paris Agreement
and the values, principles and foundations of
multilateralism is essential. From the outset, Spain
has discharged its responsibility to defend,
strengthen, foster and promote the 2030 Agenda
and climate action. During the last twelve months, in
all areas of international relations, whether bilateral
or among multilateral forums and institutions, Spain
has played a prominent role in promoting the 2030
Agenda. Our diplomatic services, public
administrations, civil society, universities, private
companies and many other elements of our society
have joined forces to make the implementation of
the 2030 Agenda at home and abroad a hallmark of
our identity.
• Europe’s policy
Among the EU Member States, Spain has
strongly advocated placing the 2030 Agenda at the
heart of the post-2020 EU strategy. To this end, it
has promoted the formation of a group of eleven
European countries "Friends of the 2030 Agenda",
from which an active position on the 2030 Agenda
has been coordinated both in the Council of the
European Union and in the European Council. This
work has been accompanied by tireless dialogue
with Spanish and European civil society, with
particular reference to the new strategic horizon
“Europe 2019-2024”.
Spain’s commitment in this regard is
demonstrated by the inclusion of the 2030 Agenda
in the conclusions of the European Council of 18
October 2018 and in the Conclusions of the Council
of the European Union on 9 April 2019, to promote
an even more sustainable European Union by 2030.
Sectorally, and through the various ministries,
consideration of the 2030 Agenda, this level of
involvement is evidenced by the inclusion of the
2030 Agenda in the conclusions of the European
Council of 18 October 2018 and in the Conclusions
of the Council of the European Union adopted on 9
April 2019, to promote an even more sustainable
European Union by 2030. Sectorally, and through
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
the various ministries, consideration of the 2030
Agenda in various Council committees has been
incorporated into the discussions of various Council
committees and into some of the main EU
governance mechanisms, such as the European
Semester. In the context of the negotiations of the
2021-2027 Multiannual Financial Framework, Spain
and other Member States have worked to persuade
their partners that the main objective of negotiations
on the new Neighbourhood Development and
International Cooperation instrument (NDICI) should
be to achieve the SDGs and that the reference
framework for this should be the 2030 Agenda and
the Paris Agreement.
Spain’s participation in the 2030 Agenda Working
Group of the EU Council and in the Voluntary Task
Force of the 2030 Agenda has also consolidated its
leadership in all issues related to the the Agenda in
Europe.
In addition, Spain has been a member of the
Executive Committee of the European Sustainable
Development Network, for the first time since its
creation in 2002. In this context, the Ministry of
Industry, Commerce and Tourism, via the Secretary
of State for Trade, will argue that trade negotiations
within the EU should take an ambitious approach
towards issues related to sustainable development,
trade, gender and SMEs, in accordance with the
SDGs set out in the 2030 Agenda and with the Paris
Agreement to combat climate change.
• Multilateral policies
This year, the 2030 Agenda and the Agreements
on Climate Change have taken centre stage among
the priority objectives of Spain’s foreign action in
multilateral institutions. At the United Nations, Spain
has strongly supported monitoring the
implementation of these Agreements and the reform
process promoted by the Secretary General, in
which the 2030 Agenda occupies a central place. In
February 2019, the Deputy Secretary-General of the
United Nations, Amina J. Mohammed, made an
official visit to Spain and held meetings with the
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 INFORME DE PROGRESO
President of the Government, many members of the
Council of Ministers, the joint Congress-Senate
commission for the 2030 Agenda, the members of
the Sustainable Development Council and others.
This shared commitment is embodied in the Spain-
United Nations Joint Communiqué for sustainable
development, which constitutes a fundamental pillar
of the multilateral policy for sustainable development
that Spain will carry out in the coming years.
Furthermore, Spain has heightened its active
participation in UN initiatives focused on the 2030
Agenda, via agencies and programmes such as UN
Habitat, WTO, UN Women, FAO, SDG Campaign,
ILO and UNESCO.
During the Japanese Presidency of the G20,
Spain urged the Group to strengthen its role in
driving the international implementation of the 2030
Agenda. In addition, at Spain’s proposal, the G20
has resolved to make a fresh commitment to
Education for Sustainable Development, and has
taken part in a mutual learning exercise for the
2030 Agenda, together with Argentina and Japan.
Spain has also emphasised its commitment to
the SDGs within the regional organisations of which
it is a member, especially the OECD, NATO, OSCE,
the Council of Europe, OAS and SEGIB, and also in
many other organisations, technical bodies and
international forums in which it takes part. Moreover,
the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs feature prominently
in Spain’s bilateral relations worldwide, and
numerous actions have been taken and agreements
signed in this regard.
Some SDGs are especially relevant to Spain’s
foreign action last year. For example, with respect to
SDG 2, Spain hosted the First Global Parliamentary
Summit against Hunger and Malnutrition in October
2018, reflecting our commitment to the
implementation of the right to food, via FAO projects
financed by AECID such as the Hunger-Free Latin
America and Caribbean Initiative. In addition, we
have supported the FAO Office for the Right to
Food, and the World Centre for Sustainable Urban
Food has been created in Valencia, in partnership
with FAO. With regard to SDG 3, in the field of
health in International Humanitarian Law and in the
protection of civilians, Spain has promoted
programmes related to primary care and universal
health coverage. In relation to SDG 4, education in
conflict situations, Spain hosted the Third
International Conference on Safe Schools and the
G20 has renewed its commitment to Education for
Sustainable Development. Regarding SDG 5, a
strategic partnership agreement has been signed
with UN Women, as part of the UN Agenda
“Women, Peace and Security” and this has been
developed at regional and bilateral levels.
30
Spain has also been active in fields such as SDG 6,
on clean water and sanitation, with the MASAR
Water program; SDG 8, on inclusive and resilient
development, with the Third Plan Africa; SDG 13, in
monitoring the outcomes of the Climate Change
Summit, in promoting the Green Climate Fund and
in supporting the Iberoamerican Network of Climate
Change Offices. With respect to climate change, our
diplomacy has been mobilised to obtain support for
the three initiatives that Spain is co-heading with
Peru for the Climate Action Summit convened by the
UN Secretary-General, on health and climate, a fair
transition, and gender issues and climate (these
initiatives are related to SDGs 3, 8 and 5,
respectively). Spain’s diplomacy has been active
regarding SDG 16, in areas such as participation in
international operations and missions for the
construction of peaceful and stable societies, in
Africa, the Middle East and Southeast Europe,
among other regions; the promotion of the rule of
law and the development of solid institutions through
civil missions and electoral observation, particularly
in Latin America and Africa; the defence of human
rights and support for civil society; combating all
forms of violence and organised crime, especially
human trafficking and smuggling networks in the
Mediterranean; and support for the International
Criminal Court and the Statute of Rome). Finally,
concerning SDG 17, Spain has not only revitalised
its development cooperation policy, but has lent
support to the “localisation” of the SDGs, i.e.
application of the 2030 Agenda at local and regional
levels, by the authorities at those levels, thus
promoting effective alliances among those directly
involved.
Next steps
Spain’s commitment to place the Agenda at the
heart of its identity in the world requires us, on the
one hand, to continue and extend the actions
currently being undertaken and, on the other, to
identify those areas in which significant further
action may be taken. In this regard, Spain is
promoting the 2030 Agenda as a focal aspect of
international agendas, both multilateral and bilateral,
and of commercial, financial, cooperation and other
agreements that will be negotiated in the coming
year. Consideration will be given to establishing
mechanisms to monitor the progress achieved, and
to contributing to further strategic actions aimed at
the SDGs (reflection on long-term development,
instruments to promote the Agenda, communication
strategies, strengthening institutional commitment,
etc.).

In relation to SDG 17, on strengthening
the means of implementation, Spain will seek
to implement the necessary coordination,
promotion and monitoring mechanisms. This
will require further theoretical and
methodological examination, and the creation
2. Foster alliances for the SDGs among all
parties, as transformation vectors
Firmly support multi-party inclusive alliances for the SDGs, with mutual accountability and well-
defined actions
Advances, achievements and results
The transformation of the economy, the
environment and our society in order to carry out the
2030 Agenda and achieve the SDGs can only be
achieved through multi-actor alliances. During the
last year, the High Commission has worked to lay
the foundations for these alliances to be solid,
lasting and involving all sectors, and in this respect
has achieved tangible results.
In the business sector, progress is being made in
the Business Alliance for the 2030 Agenda.
Promoted by the High Commission for the 2030
Agenda, the aim of this Alliance is to directly involve
the Spanish business sector (public and private) in
innovative consensus-based solutions, within the
framework of the 2030 Agenda. Preparations are
now concluding for a “Public Companies Alliance for
the 2030 Agenda”, which will identify fruitful areas
for collaboration with the High Commission,
prioritising compliance with measures from the
public sector in support of sustainable progress and
innovation.
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
of appropriate methods and indicators. One of the
areas addressed in SDG17 is that of development
cooperation, but its scope goes far beyond this, and
if the Goal is to be achieved, other financial flows
and their means of implementation must also be
addressed.
In this regard, the High Commission has supported
measures such as the Public Companies Action Group
for CSR, coordinated by Forética and headed by ICO
in 2018 and by ICO and Adif in 2019. In 2018, this
body published its “Practical Guide for the contribution
of public companies to the 2030 Agenda”, to foster the
inclusion of the SDGs in the strategies of public
companies, equipping them to act as levers for
change, and fostering the alignment of other economic
and social actors with the SDGs.
The private sector in Spain, too, has shown
significant interest in working to implement the 2030
Agenda. Almost all of the Ibex 35 companies are
committed to the 2030 Agenda and companies are
working in this field and creating alliances with other
actors, such as NGOs, universities and sectoral
associations, to address the challenges set out in
the 17 SDGs and their 169 targets. The first draft of
the Alliance of Private Companies for the 2030
Agenda is currently being prepared.
31
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

In March 1918, the Council of Ministers approved
the Action Plan for the Internationalisation of the
Spanish Economy 2019-20, according to which the
Secretariat of State for Trade and its dependent
agencies must incorporate all three dimensions of
sustainability into their business-related policies and
programmes, constituting the transversal axis of the
administration for matters concerning
internationalisation. This Action Plan, moreover,
contains various measures contributing to the fight
against climate change.
Other significant alliances that have been formed
include the Country Alliance against Child Poverty,
which has already been subscribed to by over 20 public
and private companies, together with many other third
sector entities; the agreement with the Secretariat of
State for Tourism, on the promotion of the SDGs
through the Network of Smart Tourist Destinations, the
reconversion of tourist destinations, the promotion of
decent employment in the sector and the innovation of
a sustainable tourism sector working with and
supported by the High Commission. In addition to the
above, specific agreements have been reached with
companies, for example to promote the COP 24
Climate Summit, and to promote information disclosure
at different levels about the 2030 Agenda.
Finally, special mention should be made of the official
recognition by FAO in December 2018 of the
“Millennial Olives Agricultural System of the Sénia
Territory”, located at the confluence of the Spanish
Autonomous Communities of Aragon, Catalonia and
Valencia, as a Globally Important Agricultural
Heritage System (GIAHS). This Agricultural System
involves multiple actors and addresses cross-cutting
aspects of vital importance in the international context
of the 2030 Agenda, such as climate change,
innovation and the sustainability of the agri-food
sector.
Furthermore, many professionals, academics and
third sector organisations provide long-term support
for activities related to the 2030 Agenda, mainly in
information disclosure and communication, in
collaboration or alliance with the High Commission.
Next steps
Preparations are currently under way for a
Framework Agreement with public companies,
taking the form of an alliance, for coordination and
support in the implementation of the 2030 Agenda in
this area. Work is also being done to coordinate an
alliance with the private and public business sectors,
which is scheduled to be launched before the end of
the year.

3. Foster education for sustainable development as a

fundamental pillar and achieve SDG 4.7 by 2025

Achieve SDG 4.7 in Spain by 2025, five years before the 2030 horizon

purpose.
Advances, achievements and results
On 15 February, the Council of Ministers
approved the draft Organic Law amending Organic
Law 2/2006, of 3 May, on Education (LOMLOE).
This Law seeks to modernise the educational
system with the inclusion of “Education for global
citizenship”. The 2030 Agenda is incorporated as
one of the five transversal axes of this framework.
The Sixth Additional Provision of LOMLOE is
focused on education for sustainable development
and for global citizenship, and includes the
commitments set out in the Action Plan for the
Implementation of the 2030 Agenda regarding
teacher training, creating a calendar for this
32
 La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España

Also significant in this context is the

development of various Territorial
Cooperation Programmes, financed and
coordinated by the Ministry of Education and
Vocational Training, but managed by the
Autonomous Communities. Examples include
the Orientation and reinforcement programme
to encourage the permanence of young
people in the education system (PROA +);
the Strategic Plan for Harmony within the
School Community; and the Strategic Plan for
healthy, sustainable lifestyles in school.

33
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

In 2018, for the first time in seven years, the Steps will also be taken to ensure equal
Observatory of scholarships, grants and recognition opportunities in access to university education, by
of academic performance was convened, to review increasing the provision of scholarships and grants,
and revise the system of financial assistance in reducing the effect of income thresholds and
education. Finally, in order to encourage university providing sums that allow the best students to study
researchers, whose inclusion of the 2030 Agenda in where they choose. Moreover, the former minimum
their activity is of crucial importance, the Knowledge levels of tuition fees will be abolished.
Transfer Six-year Plan has been created to reward Finally, a Royal Decree will be issued on the
the excellence of university teachers and direct subsidies provided to the Spanish universities
researchers, and to foster the transfer of knowledge which form part of the alliances created within the
to society. European Universities programme of the European
Commission (67.4% of these alliances involve at
Next steps least one Spanish university). Fourteen universities
benefit from these grants, for a total amount of three
The LOMLOE must now be developed, with the million euros, and the administration has pledged to
following aims: continue supporting this initiative.
• Design a new curriculum focused on essential
competencies.
• Reform the teaching profession (initial training,
career development, continuing education and
evaluation).
• Promote the minimum quality requirements (for
schools and curricula) for the first stage of early
childhood education.
• Approve a new Organic Law for the Universities.
The first stage of this process will be to launch a
public consultation. In this area, progress is
being made in designing a new system of
university governance, and in designing a model
of finance and accountability in line with similar
university systems elsewhere in Europe.
• Attract and retain talent. These goals will be
addressed via a review of current mechanisms of
evaluation and access to academic positions. A
new Statute for teaching and research staff will be
drafted.
• Promote internationalisation.
• Bring the university closer to society, such that it has
a greater impact on regional economies and on the
economic model.
• Include the gender perspective.

34

4. Inform to make known. Raise awareness to
bring about change. Communicate to
transform: a pact to convey the 2030
Agenda.
Reach an agreement to extend awareness of the 2030 Agenda among all levels of public
administration and with private and civil society
Advances, achievements and results
Dissemination of the 2030 Agenda is a central
element of the High Commission's activity, in the
view that it is essential to promote awareness and
understanding of the SDGs in order to ensure the
participation of public and private sector actors, and
of society as a whole. For this reason, and to
maximise visibility, thus encouraging collective and
individual actions, the High Commission has
launched a comprehensive plan to explain the
content of the Agenda, through social media, digital
communications, multimedia campaigns and
numerous interviews and articles in both general
and specialised media.
It is important to remember that achieving the
2030 Agenda will not be possible, in Spain or
anywhere else in Europe, unless small and medium-
sized enterprises (which account for over 98% of
companies) are suitably involved in this endeavour.
In other words, SMEs must be well acquainted with
the SDGs and align their activity and management
practices accordingly. The existence of a
sustainable long-term business fabric is essential to
the generation of jobs, the economic growth and the
social well-being that are necessary if the SDGs are
to be achieved.
An outstanding development in this regard is the
initiative taken by the Spanish Official Credit
Institute, in partnership with the Global Compact, to
help SMEs incorporate the SDGs into their
management priorities. A web space
(#ICOpymeODS) [#ICOsmeSDG] has been created
to help construct a business fabric that is aligned
with the common development needs of SMEs,
enabling them to be more sustainable, competitive
and committed to the climate, the environment and
people.
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
According to the CIS Barometer (Study 3238,
conducted in February 2019), only 13% of the
Spanish population are aware of the 2030 Agenda,
a degree of unfamiliarity that prompted the High
Commission to make its publicity a central activity
and to enter into numerous communication-related
alliances. To this end, the symbols of the 17 SDGs
have featured prominently in publicity given to
Spain’s public policies, enjoying pride of place in the
press room at the Moncloa Complex and
accompanying the logos of ministries and public
bodies, thus reaffirming the Government's
commitment to the 2030 Agenda. The High
Commission has encouraged the use of the SDG
symbols in all types of events and appearances
related to sustainability, seeking to achieve the
greatest possible acceptance by all areas of society.
Strategically, and to enhance its impact, the
international and national calendars feature
activities to promote specific aspects of the Agenda
(environmental, social and economic).
Main actions taken:
• Digital media: web page. Accounts on Twitter,
Facebook, Instagram and YouTube, all
operational since July 2018.
• Advertising campaigns at key moments of the
calendar on Equality, Inclusion, Disability,
biodiversity, oceans, the environment, Human
Rights. The “Most important countdown of the
year” campaign received an Honourable
Mention at the SDG ACTION communication
festival organised by the UN.
35
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

Next steps
Develop and detail the Agenda
Communication plan; extend the acceptance
of the SDG/Agenda 2030 brand among public
and private organisations; consolidate the Continue promoting the #ICOpymeODS initiative,
ODSÉATE [SDGyourself] campaign launched which has been distributed among the 350,000
to coincide with the fourth anniversary of the companies in the ICO database and which, with the
SDGs (25 September 2019); reach wider help of the Global Compact, its stakeholders, ICO
audiences, especially young people and partners and the High Commission for the 2030
children, using new or adapted Agenda will make a real impact, with repercussions
communication products. among a broad spectrum of the Spanish small
business sector. In the near future, the ICO
Foundation will publish a report on the circular
economy and SMEs.

5. Foster culture as a crucial aspect of

transformation

Decisively promote cultural action for the diffusion and ownership of the 2030 Agenda

stakeholders in the field of culture.

Advances, achievements and results
For the Government of Spain, the role of culture in
the 2030 Agenda is the basis and the instrument for
achieving inclusive sustainable development. Culture
enables us to consolidate the democratic values and
social advances promoted by the 2030 Agenda, and
therefore we wish to conceptualise these concepts and
translate them into concrete actions. In this regard, on
14 March 2019 the President of the Government
chaired a forum at the Moncloa complex, under the
title “Culture and the 2030 Agenda”, with the
participation of over 200 people from every dimension
of culture.
Contacts have been established with
personalities from the world of art, design and
culture to consider and present models of
sustainability in these areas.
In our external action, meetings have been held
with the directors of the Cervantes Institutes, to
reflect on the relation between the 2030 Agenda and
the world of culture.
In March 2019, the Spanish Network for
Sustainable Development (REDS) held its “Third
Conference on Sustainability and Cultural
Institutions”, presenting the declaration “Culture in
support of the 2030 Agenda”, a manifesto setting
out a commitment to sustainable development of

36
 La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España

Next steps
In order to advance our definition of
culture as the fourth pillar of sustainable
development, we need to conceptualise it and
create a roadmap to make culture a
transformative instrument within the 2030
Agenda. Accordingly, actions are being
considered to establish spaces for dialogue
with relevant parties in different disciplines, to
enhance our understanding of cultural
realities and their contribution to our
achieving inclusive, sustainable development.
It is also important to collaborate with
other multilateral institutions in putting into
practice declarations and action plans,
reinforcing our position and developing
further actions.
On 6 September 2019, the new
“Sustainable Content and 2030 Agenda
th
Award” was announced at the 11 FesTVal
Closing Gala of 2019, to encourage
productions supporting the 2030 Agenda and
sustainability. This action was supported by
the High Commission for the 2030 Agenda
and by the Ministry of Culture and Sport.

37
 INFORME DE PROGRESO
6. Develop a civil service with the knowledge and
capabilities to implement the SDGs
By 2022, ensure that 100% of public employees, in government and public companies, are aware of
the 2030 Agenda, and that those with direct responsibilities for its implementation have the necessary
skills to do so
Advances, achievements and results
The National Institute of Public Administration
(INAP) has stipulated that specific elements of the
2030 Agenda and the SDGs should be incorporated
as subjects for study, in the syllabus for public
service entrance examinations and in selective
courses for admission to some Ministerial
departments, such as the National Agricultural
Engineering Corps, the Diplomatic Corps, the
National Executive Civil Administrators Corps, the
Management Corps for Information Systems and
Technologies and the Technical Scale of
Management for Decentralised Organisations.
Within the Ministry of Employment, Migration and
Social Security, the 2030 Agenda already forms part
of its personnel selection processes and intake
courses, for groups such as social security lawyers,
social security technical personnel, social security
comptrollers and auditors, social security and
employment inspectors and employment
subinspectors. In addition, public employees receive
training on the SDGs, via a workshop aligning the
INAP’s activity with the 2030 Agenda.
These training processes have been brought to the
attention of the other ministries that perform similar
informative functions, such as the Ministry of
Agriculture, Fisheries and Food. Among other activities
in this area, the Institute of Fiscal Studies organised a
conference under the title "Sustainable Development
and the 2030 Agenda", and in December 2018 a
space was opened on the Intranet under the heading
“Sustainable Development”, providing basic
information about the SDGs and related activities in
Spain, with examples from Autonomous Communities
and the Spanish Federation of Municipalities and
Provinces (FEMP), together with information on the
role of civil society, the universities and the business
sector.
38
Among the training courses offered for public
managers, INAP imparts a module of the Certified
Public Manager programme focused on the topic of
“SDGs – Agenda for change”. In this respect, too,
the new Master’s Degree in Public Management and
Leadership was designed taking into consideration
the skills required to promote and implement the
2030 Agenda.
The Training Plan for Public Employees in Open
Government offers numerous courses related to the
principles of the 2030 Agenda, especially SDG 16.
In the course entitled “Strategic planning as a public
management tool”, the contents include the impact
made on strategic planning by the commitments
undertaken in the framework of the 2030 Agenda.
Finally, through the INAP social network and its
bulletin “The Administration Day-to-Day”, a massive
open online course (MOOC) is offered by the Centre
for Innovation in Technology for Human
Development, at Polytechnic University of Madrid.
In addition to the above, in 2018 the Diplomatic
School began offering a specific course on the
SDGs, implementing a joint project by the High
Commission for the 2030 Agenda and the Spanish
Network for Sustainable Development (REDS).
Next steps
Specific Agenda-related content is expected to
be included in the 2019 Offer of Public Employment,
by the following bodies:
• Management Corps of the National Civil
Administration.
• Management Corps for Information Systems and
Technologies of the National Administration.
• General Administrative Corps of the National
Administration.

• General Auxiliary Corps of the National
Administration.
• Corps of Auxiliary Computer Technicians of the
National Administration.
The INAP will continue to align courses taught in
the following areas with the 2030 Agenda:
organisation and operation; public management and
leadership; professional skills.
7. Budget appropriately for the SDGs: align the
budgets of each of the ministerial
departments
The relationships between the SDGs and the corresponding spending policies and programmes will be
established in 2020, facilitating the analysis of resource allocation
Advances, achievements and results
In 2018 and prior to the design of the basic
structure for information provision and of the
standardised method by which each ministerial
department should annually report on this alignment
of public resources, an analysis was conducted of
the draft General State Budget for 2019.
During 2019, the first steps are being taken that will
enable ministerial departments, during 2020, to align
their budgets with the SDGs. This identification of
how the budget assigned to each ministerial
department will contribute to achieving the SDGs is an
essential condition for the success of management
policies adopted with this purpose in mind.
Next steps
During the year, under the coordination of the
State Secretariat for Budgets and Expenditure, a
methodology will be developed to align the General
State Budget with the SDGs and the 2030 Agenda.
On the basis of this methodology, the “Order
determining the rules for generating the General
State Budgets”, in the section referring to the
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
At the same time, preparations are under way to
impart a MOOC on the SDGs, intended specifically
for public sector personnel. Furthermore, courses
will be offered on the territorialisation of the 2030
Agenda and on multilevel planning, incorporating
public management methodologies and tools at
national, regional and local levels, among others.
Finally, specific content referring to the 2030
Agenda and the SDGs is expected to be included in
the subjects addressed in entrance examinations for
other areas of government.
“Documentation and durations for the preparation of
the General State Budget”, will incorporate a new
section entitled “Impact Report for the Sustainable
Development Goals”.
To prepare this Impact Report, the relevant
ministerial departments will analyse the impact made
on the SDGs by their spending programmes, reporting
their findings to the Ministry of State for Budgets and
Expenditure, in the terms established for that purpose
by the Secretariat of State.
These contributions by the ministerial
departments will form the basis for the formulation
by the Secretariat of State for Budgets and
Expenditure of the SDG Impact Report. A working
group will be established, with representatives from
the Ministry of the Presidency, Relations with
Parliament, and Equality; from the Secretariat of
State for Budgets and Expenditure; from the
Directorate-General for Budgets; and from the Office
of the Minister of Finance, to agree on the final
drafting of this report, which will accompany the
preliminary draft of the General State Budget Law.
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 INFORME DE PROGRESO

8. Align public procurement with the SDGs

The National Public Procurement Strategy will incorporate the 2030 Agenda and, in particular, SDG 12
(Target 12.7) within its general framework, objectives and targets, and will ensure the necessary
measures are taken to make use of the possibilities offered by public procurement to support the SDGs

Advances, achievements and results Next steps

The government has taken measures to foster
the transition towards business models and
strategies that generate social and environmental
value. For example, Royal Decree 94/2018, of 2
March created an Interministerial Commission to
promote the incorporation of social criteria into
public procurement. In addition, on 12 April 2019,
the Council of Ministers approved a plan to
promote socially responsible public
procurement, aligned with SDG 8.
Also significant in this respect is the
Interministerial Commission for the incorporation of
ecological criteria within public procurement, which
was created by Royal Decree 6/2018, of 12
January. On 7 December 2018, at the
recommendation of the Plenary Assembly of this
Interministerial Commission, the Council of Ministers
approved the Ecological Public Procurement Plan
for the Central State Administration, its
autonomous agencies and the managing entities
of the Social Security administration 2018-2025,
aligning this procurement with SDG 12.
In order to achieve SDG 12 and “ensure
sustainable consumption and production patterns”,
the government will foster good practices for public
procurement, to bring about a change in models of
consumption. In this respect, guidelines will be
issued for the application of social, environmental
and ethical clauses, and the necessary mechanisms
for their inclusion in the bidding processes will be
created. This measure will also promote the creation
of new, more sustainable models of production, thus
supporting inclusive sustainable development. These
guidelines will be designed and issued by the
interministerial commissions for the incorporation of
social and ecological criteria into public procurement,
and their working groups, and with the maximum
participation of and contributions from the different
levels of public administration, the business sector
and the social partners, thus advancing our
commitment to responsible production and
consumption models in all areas concerning public
procurement.

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 La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España

9. Require a mandatory report on the

regulatory impact of legislative activity on
the SDGs

In 2019, it will be mandatory to accompany all regulations approved by Parliament, at the initiative of
the Government, with an analysis of their normative impact on the 2030 Agenda and on the SDGs

Advances, achievements and results Next steps

A report on the regulatory impact of legislation on
the 2030 Agenda is required in order to enhance
policy coherence and to promote actions linked to
each of the objectives of the Agenda. It will also
contribute to aligning current public policies with the
objectives and targets of the Agenda.
In addition, the Report will enhance normative
practice, strengthen policy coherence and highlight
the relationships among the different objectives.
When this reporting system is fully operational, it
will highlight the impact on the 2030 Agenda of all
new government regulations, thus identifying the
institutionalised advances achieved.
The Report will also provide valuable information
for the analysis of policy coherence and of
government action aimed at social, economic and
environmental transformation.

10. Align the 2030 Agenda and the National Reform Plan

Implementation of the 2030 Agenda and progress towards the SDGs will be incorporated into the
National Reform Programme that the Government of Spain is required to send to the European Union
each year, from 2019

Advances, achievements and results One of the fundamental points of this Programme is
the development of the European Pillar of Social
To implement the Agenda for Change and to put
Rights, which is structured around three main axes:
into practice the 2018 Specific Recommendations
equality of opportunities and access to the labour
made to Spain by the Council of the European
market (SDGs 8 and 10); the consolidation of fair
Union, the Government has set out its 2019 National
working conditions (SDGs 1, 8 and 10); and social
Reform Programme (see table below), which is fully
protection and inclusion (SDGs 1, 3, 8 and 10).
aligned with the 2030 Agenda.

41
 74% of persons aged 20-64 years in work
Renewable energy 20% of total energy consunption
Actions
INFORME DE PROGRESO SDGs
Actions SDGs
Action Plan for youth employment 8 4
RDL 15/2018 on energy transition 7 12 13
Master Plan for decent work 8 16
Non-peninsular electrical systems 7 10
Additional support for Public 8 4 17
Employment Service training Energy efficiency: 20% reduction in primary energy
programmes consumption (on projected primary energy use in
Employment activation strategy 8 5 2020): 119.8 MTEP

2019 annual employment policy 8 Actions SDGs

programme RDL 15/2018 on energy transition. 7 12 13
Shorten and simplify employment 8 16
contract options Programme of assistance for energy 7 12 13
efficiency
Put into practice a capitalisation
accounting system for employment 8 10 16
Rate of school dropout less than 15%
mobility.
Actions SDGs
Reincorpora-T (Back 2 Work) 8
programme Bill amending the Organic Law on
Education 4 10
New industrial policy 8 9 12
Strategic plan for the automobile sector 8 9 12 Promotion for vocational training 4 8

2030 strategic framework for SMEs 8 12 Plan for vocational training 4 8

19-20 trade modernisation plan 8 12 Universal education for children aged 0-3 4 5 10
years
Strategy for sustainable tourism 8 12 14 Regional territorial cooperation
programme 4 10 16
Royal Decree-Law (RDL) 20/2018 on 8 9 12
competitiveness Updated catalogue of professional skills 4 8
Action Plan on internationalisation 8 17
Higher education for 44% of persons aged 30-34
Strategy for a Fair Transition 7 10 13 years
RDL 25/2018 on Fair Transition 8 9 13 Actions SDGs
University eduaction law 4 8 9
Investment of 2% GDP in R+D
New policy for university grants and fees 4 10
Actions SDGs
State Budget for R+D+I 9
State commitment to R+D+I 9 Reduce the number of people in poverty or social
exclusion by 1.4 m compared to 2009
Employment stability and rejuvenation of
research personnel 8 9 Actions SDGs

RDL 3/2019 for science. 9 Raise the minimum wage 8 10

RDL 103/2019 on research personnel 8 9 National strategy against poverty 1 10 16

Beatriz Galindo programme 4 8 9 RDL 8/2019 on social protection 8 10

Spain – Entrepreneurial Nation 8 9 10 Expansion of the social discount scheme

for electricity and creation of a similar 7 10
Strategy for artificial intelligence 8 9 scheme for heating.
National strategy to address the 8 11 15
Bill for the digital transformation of the 9 16 demographic challenge
financial system
Action Plan for the 2030 Agenda All
Targets to combat climate change (emissions, Further efforts to combat child poverty 1 10
renewable energy and efficiency)
VECA programme 4 10
Actions SDGs
Housing Plan 11
National Integrated Energy and Climate 7 13
Plan (PNIEC) 2021-2030 RDL 7/2019 for housing and rentals 10 11
Bill for Action on Climate Change 7 13

10% reduction in emissions by diffuse sectors

with respect to 2005 (212.39 mill ton. CO2
equivalent in 2020)
Actions SDGs
RDL 15/2018 on energy transition 7 12 13
MOVES programme 7 11 13
2020 route map for the diffuse sector 13

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 La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España

CSR 1
CSR 2.4
Actions SDGs
Actions SDGs
Spending reviews 17
Bill amending the Organic Law on
Education 4 10
Enhanced framework for public 12 16
procurement
Promotion for vocational training 4 8
Bill for a tax on financial transactions
16 17 Plan for vocational training 4 8

Bill for a tax on certain digital services Universal education for children aged 0-3 4 5 10
16 17 years
Regional territorial cooperation
Bill on measures to prevent and combat 4 10 16
16 17 programme
tax evasion
Reform of corporation tax 17
CSR 3.1
Reform of personal income tax 10 17
Actions SDGs
Increase revenue from wealth tax 17
State commitment to R+D+I 8 9
Employment stability and rejuvenation
CSR 2.1 of research personnel 4 8 9
Actions SDGs
RDL 3/2019 for science. 4 8 9
Action Plan for youth employment 4 8
RDL 103/2019 on research personnel 4 8 9
Additional support for Public Employment 4 8
Service training programmes Spain – Entrepreneurial Nation 8 9
Employment activation strategy 4 8 10 Cervera network 8 9
2019 annual employment policy 4 8 10 Actions by the Centre for Industrial 8 9
programme Technological Development (CDTI)
Estrategia Industria conectada 4.0 9
CSR 2.2 CSR 3.2
Actions SDGs Actions SDGs
Master Plan for decent work 8 16 Cooperation between the Universities 4 16
Governing Council (CRUE) and the
Shorten and simplify employment 8 16 Spanish Confederation of Business
contract options Organisations (CEOE)
Capitalisation accounting system for Support for industrial Ph.D.s 4 9
employment mobility 8 10 16
Business research institutes 4 9 12
CSR 2.3
Plan for vocational training 4 8
Actions SDGs
Updated catalogue of professional skills 4 8
Raise the minimum wage 8 10
Reinforce systems for social protection 1 10 Action Plan for youth employment 8 10

Align paternity and maternity benefits 8 10

CSR 3.3
National strategy against poverty 1 10 16
Actions SDGs
Further efforts to combat child poverty 1 10
Sectoral conference on regulatory reforms
Increase benefits for dependent children 1 10 and the business climate 16

VECA programme 4 10 Protection mechanisms for operators: Arts.

26 and 28 of the Law to protect and 16
Action Plan for the 2030 Agenda All maintain the single internal market (LGUM)
National strategy to address the 8 11 15 Protection mechanisms for operators: Art.
demographic challenge 27 of the LGUM. 16

Strategy to eliminate energy poverty 1 7

Expansion of the social discount scheme
for electricity and creation of a similar 7 10
scheme for heating.
RDL 7/2019 on housing and rentals 10 11

43
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

3.2 . Other significant measures approved

by the Council of Ministers
As indicated above, the Government's actions
this year are reflected, on the one hand, in the
advances made with the transformative and lever
policy measures stipulated in the Action Plan and,
on the other, in the Council of Ministers’ approval of
other significant measures aimed at materialising its
political, social and ethical commitments to promote
inclusive prosperity, ensuring that no one is left
behind.
Many of these measures are intended to
reinvigorate social policies, promote the energy
transition to combat climate change, improve the
quality of institutions and boost the economy, within
a framework of justice and equal opportunities.
The incorporation of the SDGs into public
policies is a Government commitment, as a result of
which over 320 measures were approved by the
Council of Ministers from June 2018 to June 2019,
as a meaningful contribution towards achieving the
SDGs.
This outlook is broad based, seeking integrated,
comprehensive actions to address problems taking
into account the priorities of sustainable
development policy, with input from all Government
Ministries.
These Government measures, structured
according to the SDGs addressed, are detailed in
Annex 1 and summarised below.

NO POVERTY DATE GOOD HEALTH AND DATE

WELL-BEING

National strategy to prevent and fight 22-03-19

against poverty and social exclusion
Strategic framework of primary health 17-04-19
RDL to reinstate benefit payments to care
08-03-19
those aged over 52 years
Universal access to the National 27-07-18
Urgent measures to alleviate the rising Health System
price of electricity, and to promote the 05-10-18
energy transition

FOOD SECURITY AND QUALITY EDUCATION DATE

DATE
NUTRITION

Bill to amend the Organic Law on 15-02-19

Education

Agreement between the Spanish

Development Corporation (AECID) and 21-12-18
the World Bank on the Global
Partnership For Education Fund
Bill to reverse cuts in education budgets 14-09-18

Royal Decree establishing the regulatory

basis for grants for multi-regional
vocational training programmes in rural 17-05-19
areas

44
 La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España

GENDER EQUALITY DATE CLEAN WATER AND DATE

SANITATION

Royal Decree regulating attention to Authorisation to contract the necessary

equality within the General State
Administration
RDL on equal opportunities in
employment
Government statement on the
International Day for the Elimination of
Violence Against Women
RDL on urgent measures for a State Pact
against gender violence
Royal Decree approving the regulatory
bases for subsidies to rural women's
groups nationwide for activities of special
interest to promote the role of women in
rural development
12-04-19 services to ensure the supply of drinking
30-11-18
water via the Alicante I and II desalination
plants.
01-03-19 th
Authorisation to conclude the 6 service
contract for the operation and maintenance
30-11-18
of the automatic hydrological information
23-11-18 system of the Ebro basin.
Authorisation to sign the first addendum to
the MAPA-SEIASA collaboration agreement
03-08-18 to establish the general performance criteria
for this public company in relation to the 21-12-18
modernisation and consolidation of irrigation
plant and to increase the capital stock of
SEIASA by €18 million, funded by the
General State Budget.
15-03-19

Decision to formalise the distribution criteria DECENT WORK AND

ECONOMIC GROWTH DATE
and the resulting distribution of credits for
the development of programmes and
services that guarantee the right to Plan to promote socially responsible
comprehensive social assistance for victims public procurement 12-04-19
12-03-2019
of gender violence and care for minors; to
improve the coordination and development Plan "Reincorpora-t" (Back 2 Work) 05-04-19
of personalised plans; and to develop
programmes to support victims of sexual Action Plan for the internationalisation of
assault or abuse. the Spanish economy 29-03-19

Annual Employment Policy Plan 08-03-19

Decision to formalise the distribution criteria
and the resulting distribution of credits for 100 Basic structure of the 2030 Strategy for
million euros as part of the State Pact Sustainable Tourism 18-01-19
12-03-2019
against gender violence. These credits
are to be applied by the Autonomous Approval of the increase in the minimum
wage to 900 euros for 2019 21-12-18
Communities and by cities with a statute
of autonomy.
Approval of the 2019-2021 youth
employment plan for vocational training and 07-12-18
Decision to acknowledge Reports II and III on job placement for those aged under 30
progress made in the 2015-2018 years.
02-08-2019
Comprehensive Plan to combat trafficking in Master Plan for Decent Work 27-07-18
women and girls for the purpose of sexual
exploitation.

AFFORDABLE AND
DATE
CLEAN ENERGY INDUSTRY, INNOVATION,
DATE
INFRASTRUCTURE
Approval of the 2019-2024 National
Strategy against energy poverty. 05-04-19
Strategy to digitise the agri-food and
forestry sector and the rural environment 29-03-19
Urgent measures to alleviate the rising
price of electricity, and to promote the 05-10-18 General guidelines for the 2030 Spanish
industrial policy 22-02-19
energy transition

45
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

REDUCE INEQUALITY DATE

LIFE BELOW WATER DATE

Increase in the percentage applicable to the

Regulatory Base of the widow's pension for 20-07-18
persons aged 65 years or more.
Revaluation of over 10.3 million pensions.
28-12-18
Draft reform of Article 49 of the
Constitution to provide greater protection 07-12-18
for the rights of persons with disability.
Reform of civil and procedural legislation
on disability-related issues. 21-09-18
19-10-18
Bill to combat new forms of tax evasion.
Amendments to the Annex to the 1997
Protocol amending the International 01-03-19
Convention for the Prevention of Pollution
from Ships, 1973.
New regulation of bluefin tuna fisheries in
the eastern Atlantic and Mediterranean 08-02-19
Approval of Marine Strategies to
ensure the healthy environmental 02-11-18
state of our seas by 2020.
The Mediterranean Cetacean Corridor
declared a protected marine area. 29-06-18

DATE
LIFE ON LAND

2018 plan for action to prevent and fight

forest fires 06-07-18

Royal Decree regulating the functions and

SUSTAINABLE CITIES DATE composition of the National Forest Council 11-10-2018

2019 plan for action to prevent and fight

forest fires 14-06-2019
National Housing Plan 2018-2021 27-07-18
National strategy to address the Councils of
29-03-19 Consideration of emergency declarations
demographic challenge for the recovery of woodland affected by Ministers in
fires 2018-19

The urban agenda in Spain 22-02-19

RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION
DATE PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG
AND CONSUMPTION DATE
INSTITUTIONS

Ecological Public Procurement Plan for

the Central State Administration, its Strategy to modernise the justice system 12-04-19
04-02-19
autonomous bodies and the Social
Security management agencies. Creation of the Directorate-General for
hisorical memory 29-06-18

Council of Ministers approval for the 11-10-18

creation of Trade Observatory 4.0.
PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE
DATE
GOALS

CLIMATE ACTION DATE Bill for the digital transformation of the 06-07-18
financial system
Agenda for Change 08-02-19
Approval of the strategy for a fair transition 22-02-19

National Integrated Energy and Climate

Plan 2021-2030 22-02-19

Approval of the "Action Plan for the 29-06-18

implementation of the 2030 Agenda:
towards a Spanish strategy for sustainable
development"

46

3.3. The Agenda for Change
With appropriate public policies, the challenges
we face today – including climate change,
globalisation, urban development and the
technological revolution – provide opportunities to
modernise and address structural reforms that will
increase the potential of the Spanish economy. On 6
February 2019, in this understanding, the Council of
10
Ministers published its Agenda for Change ,
presenting it as a roadmap guiding the
Government's approach towards the reforms set out
in the 2030 Agenda, laying the foundations for
sustainable development and resolving to improve
people's lives, whilst ensuring that none are left
behind.
With the Agenda for Change, economic policy is
reoriented towards a model of inclusive growth that
places the economy at the service of people and
protects the environment. This Agenda, led by the
Ministry of Economy and Business, is one of the
three axes of the Government's economic
programme, together with fiscal sustainability and
social cohesion. Among other goals, it seeks to
promote reforms in the fields of education,
employment, innovation, gender equality, social
welfare and models of production. All of these areas
are addressed in the recommendations made by the
European Commission, which urged Spain to take
advantage of the current economic situation, to
make its economy more resilient and strengthen
productivity growth.
Based on a diagnosis of the economic situation
in Spain, identifying its strengths and the
imbalances that must be corrected in the medium
term, the Agenda for Change outlines a proactive
economic policy aimed at economic, environmental
and social sustainability. It envisages structural
reforms and details over 60 cross-cutting measures
divided into six lines of action. The Government has
resolved to implement these measures and in many
respects has already made decisive progress, with
significant initiatives being taken in each of the
Agenda areas (see Annex 7):
• In that of training and human capital, the
Government has approved initiatives to reform
the education system and align qualifications
with the needs of a constantly evolving labour
market, especially in the field of vocational
training (Bill to amend the Education Law, which
has a high level of consensus in the sector, and
Strategic Plan for Vocational Training).
10
Available at: http://www.mineco.gob.es/stfls/mineco/ministerio/ficheros/190208_agenda_del_cambio.pdf
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
• Another key lever is that of scientific and
technological progress. The Government has
promoted R&D, strengthening public research
centres and paying special attention to key
enabling technologies, such as artificial
intelligence, and the deployment of digital
networks. It has also taken measures to close
the gender gap in the fields of science,
technology, engineering and mathematics
(STEM).
• The pillars of the ecological transition process
have also been established, with the adoption of
the Strategic Energy and Climate Framework,
including a Bill on Climate Change and Energy
Transition, a National Energy and Climate Plan
and a Fair Transition Strategy. The Framework
sets ambitious targets for emissions reduction
and will stimulate investment in sectors of the
future, while also providing instruments to
support sectors and territories that require
assistance. Measures to promote sustainable
mobility and energy efficiency have also been
adopted, and actions have been taken to develop
the circular economy.
• Among measures to achieve an efficient and
fair labour market are the historic increase in
the minimum wage, reinforced inspection activity
under the Master Plan for Decent Work, specific
plans for young people and the long-term
unemployed, and measures to ensure equal
treatment and opportunities for men and women
in employment.
• Stimulus to growth must be accompanied by
measures to reduce inequality. In this respect,
too, progress is being made, with increased
benefits for dependent children, the adoption of a
Strategy to Prevent and Fight against Poverty, a
Strategy against Energy Poverty and the General
Guidelines for a Future Strategy for demographic
challenge, and actions to improve access to
housing.
47
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

• Finally, there must be a more efficient
Government administration to put these
policies into practice and to provide a suitable
framework for the proper functioning of the
markets. Notable initiatives in this area include
the creation of the Spanish Macroprudential
Authority Financial Stability Council (AMCESFI)
and the strengthening of the powers of the
National Commission on Markets and
Competition (CNMC) to regulate the energy
sector. In addition, the transparency of aid and
grant assistance has been strengthened, and the
principles of good governance and corporate
social responsibility have been incorporated into
the public business sector.
The Agenda for Change has become
consolidated as a framework for economic policy,
ensuring the coherence of government actions and
guiding efforts to achieve fairer and more
sustainable growth.
Successful implementation of the measures set
out in the Agenda requires the involvement of all
levels of public administration – central, regional and
local – as well as the support of citizens and
businesses.
Given this, Spain can play a key role in guiding
globalisation towards inclusion and sustainability,
and will be at the forefront of the 2030 Agenda and
the fight against climate change. The measures
included in the Agenda and their relationship with
the SDGs are shown in the table below.

Aims of the 2030 AGENDA and the measures contained in the Agenda for
Change
(Source: Agenda for Change)

END POVERTY QUALITY EDUCATION

Develop guaranteed minimum income benefit for each

dependent child, for persons in severe poverty Universal early childhood education (age 0 to 3 years)

School lunch grants Education Reform Law

Grants for educational materials
Inclusive leisure activities during school holidays
Social, cultural and sports activities for children in
situations of vulnerability
Strategic Plan for Twin-track Vocational Training
Reform of the catalogue of professional skills
University law

100% protection from energy poverty for vulnerable New policy on university grants and fees
families
Restore unemployment benefits for those aged over 52
years
Support for vulnerable people threatened with eviction
Mobilisation of public land for social or affordable rental
housing
Apply ICO-EIB instruments to promote the availability
and uptake of housing rentals
State Housing Plan 2018-21 to boost affordable rented
housing
Streamline bureaucratic procedures to encourage house
building
Measures to increase the transparency of information on
rented housing
Plan to support agreements between SAREB, the
Autonomous Communities and municipalities for social
housing
Measures to support sustainability in the rural
environment
XXXXXXXXXX
48

GENDER EQUALITY
Law on gender equality in the labour market
Commitment to transfer funds to the municipalities to
eradicate gender violence
Assistance for work/family balance and rationalisation of
working hours
Establish the National Office to Combat Discrimination in
Employment
Measures to ensure the presence of at least 40% of
women on Boards of Directors
Laws to address the gender gap in employment
Strategic Plan for Equal Opportunities
Align paternity and maternity benefits
Measures to close the gender gap in the fields of
science, technology, engineering and mathematics
Observatory on "Women, Science and Innovation"
Encourage science as a career option
Agreement between the Foundation for Science and
Technology and the Institute for Women
Measures to avoid discrimination against researchers
during maternity
Programme to attract women towards entrepreneurship
New line of support for women entrepreneurs in rural
areas
Laws to develop the State Pact against gender violence
CLEAN WATER AND SANITATION
National Plan for water treatment, sanitation, efficiency,
saving and reuse
AFFORDABLE AND CLEAN ENERGY
New ‘green’ taxation
Law on climate change and energy transition
National Plan for energy and climate
Regulation of self-consumption
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
DECENT WORK AND ECONOMIC
GROWTH
Plan for the modernisation of retail trade
Issuance of ICO social bonds for the creation and
maintenance of employment
“Spain - Entrepreneur Nation” strategy
Law on startups
Law on digital transformation (sandbox) in the financial
sector
Repeal the most damaging aspects of the 2012 labour
reform
Action plan for youth employment
Improve the efficiency and coordination of active
employment policies
Improve training by specialised centres and companies
Raise the minimum wage
Shorten and simplify employment contract options
Promote the permanent seasonal contract
Combat labour market fraud
Gradual implementation of a system of individual
capitalisation accounts for mobility.
Incentives for the active search for employment.
Simplification of employment assistance.
st
21 Century Statute for Workers
Plan for emigrant workers to return to Spain
2030 Strategy for sustainable tourism
Plan for the internationalisation of the Spanish economy
National Strategy to address the demographic challenge
Creation of offices to combat depopulation
INDUSTRY, INNOVATION AND
INFRASTRUCTURE
State commitment on investment in R+D+I: up to 2.5%
in the General State Budget
Development of the 14/2011 Law on Science
Stabilisation and rejuvenation of research personnel
2019-2022 Action Programme on the logistic chain
Review of the toll system for high capacity roads
Measures to promote productive and sustainable
investments in ports
2019-2025 Plan for suburban rail transport
Liberalisation of rail transport of passengers
Plan to deploy digital infrastructure
Investment in priority technologies: blue economy,
personalised medicine and disruptive technologies
Strategy for artificial intelligence
2030 Industrial Agenda for Spain
ICT and IoT for interconnectivity and intermodality
Master Plan for irrigation
49
 INFORME DE PROGRESO
REDUCED INEQUALITIES
Law on preventing and combating tax fraud
Reform of corporation tax
Reform of personal income tax
Reform of wealth tax
Tax on certian digital services
Tax on financial transactions
Reforms to ensure orderly and safe migration
Forum on National Consolidation to combat rural
depopulation
Measures to promote the incorporation of young people
and women (rural environment)
Strategy for a fair energy transition
Measures to promote the sustainability of the rural
environment
AXIS: Sustainability and Social Impact initiative
(Euro 50 m) to invest in social impact funds. First
CREAS approved fund.
SUSTAINABLE CITIES AND COMMUNITIES
Municipal initiatives for urban mobility
RESPONSIBLE PRODUCTION AND CONSUMPTION
Strategy for a circular economy
CLIMATE ACTION
‘Green’ taxation policies
Law on Climate Change and Energy Transition
National Plan for Energy and Climate
Plan for sustainable mobility
Measures to promote alternative energies for vehicles
Measures to promote the installation of charging points
in urban areas
Programmes for self-driving cars
Environmental Damage Compensation Fund
Issuance of OCO green bonds
AXIS: Creation of FII (Euro 400 m) to foster sustainable
investment and energy transition and of FII I, on circular
economy and renewable energy projects.
50
LIFE BELOW WATER
Strategy for blue growth and the sustainability of the fishing
sector and coastal areas
LIFE ON LAND
Environmental Damage Compensation Fund
Measures for the sustainability of the agri-food and
forestry sectors and rural areas
PEACE, JUSTICE AND STRONG INSTITUTIONS
Greater efficiency in public spending.
Measures to eliminate cartels from public tenders
Plan for the digitalisation of government administration
Towards Open Government
Redirectioning the activity of the ICO
Single risk management centre
Increased efficiency and impact of instruments for
financial internationalisation and development aid
Personal folder for administrative communications
Application of principles of good governance and CSR in
the public sector
In public procurement, address issues related to the
gender gap, the demographic challenge, the promotion
of SMEs-startups, and innovative public purchase plans
Publicity for institutional agendas
Develop the Government Transparency Law
IV Plan for Open Government
White Paper on reforming regulatory and economic
supervision agencies
Enhanced competences for the National Commission on
Markets and Competition (CNMC) in the supply of
electricity and gas
PARTNERSHIPS FOR THE GOALS
Leadership in combating international tax evasion and tax
avoidance
CSR Action Group for Public Companies, coordinated by
Forética and led by ICO in 2018 and by ICO and Adif in
2019, which in 2018 published the first “Practical Guide for
the contribution of public companies to the 2030 Agenda”
#ICOpymeODS web space.
 La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España

3.4 Territorial cohesion

As the Agenda for Change points out, one of the have been established to address the three
biggest challenges facing Spain concerns demographic challenges identified at the 2017
sociodemographic development, in areas such as rural Conference of Presidents: progressive aging,
depopulation, population aging, falling birth rates and depopulation and the effects of the floating
territorial dispersion. These are all risks to our model of population.
coexistence, which is based on territorial and social • The objectives and lines of action of the Strategy
cohesion. Territorial demographic imbalances,
have been aligned with seven SDGs and 11
aggravated by the significant abandonment of the rural
specific targets and with the 2030 Agenda.
environment that is currently affecting Spain, seriously
jeopardise the achievement of the SDGs. There can be
In addition, the Ministry of Agriculture, Fisheries
no sustainable development or territorial cohesion
and Food (MAPA) has undertaken the following
without a living, prosperous rural environment, managing
measures to revitalise the rural development:
and preserving assets that are of fundamental
• Creation of the National Depopulation Forum,
importance for our society. In parallel, the demographic
within the framework of the National Rural
challenge cannot be met without serious endeavours, in
Network, as a forum for dialogue among
the medium and long term, to achieve the SDGs.
representative stakeholders in rural affairs.
However, demographic changes also offer an
• Promotion of generational change in agricultural
opportunity to modernise the country and increase
activity: aid for the incorporation of young
its potential, if they can be addressed taking a
farmers and complementary payments for young
cross-cutting, integrated approach, as set out in the
people (within the Common Agricultural Policy);
2030 Agenda, focusing on families, digitalisation,
tax benefits for agricultural activity in rural areas;
emigration and entrepreneurship.
enhanced access to credit for young people
Taking this view, the Government Commissioner
through the MAPA centralised financial
for the Demographic Challenge is working to design
management instrument; and improved training
and implement the National Strategy to combat
facilities and advice for young people, among
the Demographic Challenge, a global, cross-
other measures.
cutting strategy that has arisen from the agreement
• Support for innovation and digitalisation in the
reached with the Autonomous Communities and the
th rural environment, via the Digitalisation Strategy
Municipalities at the 6 Conference of Presidents in
for the agri-food and forestry sectors and rural
January 2017.
areas in general, through its first two-year Action
To achieve this goal, on 29 March 2019 the Council
Plan.
of Ministers approved an Agreement on the General
• Support for women in rural areas, via measures
Guidelines for the National Strategy to combat the
11 in the future Action Plan in this respect.
Demographic Challenge , to progress in three major
• Application of the National Rural Development
areas:
Programme and financial support for the Spanish
• Define a work method and model of participatory
Rural Development Programmes.
governance, applicable horizontally with all
• Support for family farming and irrigation. The
ministerial departments, vertically with the
forthcoming Master Plan for irrigation will set out
Autonomous Communities and the municipalities
objective criteria for investments in irrigation, by
and transversely with civil society and the private
reference to their environmental, economic and
sector.
social sustainability.
• The general objective of the Strategy is to lay the
foundations for a nationwide project to ensure
equal opportunities and the free exercise of
citizenship rights throughout the country, via
coordination and cooperation among all
government agencies, the sustainable use of
native resources and close collaboration
between the public and private sectors. Lines of
action

11
Available at: http://www.mptfp.es/dam/es/portal/reto_demografico/Estrate-gia_Nacional/directrices_generales_estrategia.pdf.pdf

51
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

• The review and updating of the strategic Next steps

planning documents ‘Spanish forestry strategy’
and ‘Spanish forestry plan’, in collaboration with
the Autonomous Communities and
representatives of the sector.
• Support for the Autonomous Communities in the
prevention and extinction of forest fires, and
financial contribution by MAPA for the restoration
of areas affected by large-scale forest fires.
• Implementation of the 2018-2020 Strategy for
Ecological Production.
The following measures will be taken to align the
proposed National Strategy to combat the
Demographic Challenge with the SDGs and the
2030 Agenda.
CROSS-CUTTING OBJECTIVES TARGET
1. Ensure full territorial connectivity,
with adequate coverage of
broadband internet and mobile 9.c
telephony throughout Spain, in
accordance with the European
Digital Agenda 2020.
2. Ensure the appropriate, equitable
provision of basic services to the
10.2
entire population, according to the
characteristics of each territory.
3. Incorporate demographic
considerations into the 16.6
development of investment laws,
plans and programmes.
4. Further regulatory and
administrative simplification for
16.6
small municipalities.
5. Eliminate stereotypes and
enhance the image and reputation
of the territories most affected by
demographic risks.
Following approval, the General Guidelines were
communicated to the Autonomous Communities and
the FEMP, for them to make the contributions deemed
necessary, within the framework of their competences.
In the coming months, the Institutional Working
Group composed of the Autonomous Communities
and the FEMP will prepare the Final Strategy
Document, to be presented at the next Conference
of Presidents. The cross-cutting nature of the
Strategy means it must be carried out in a
coordinated way, via numerous multi-scale action
plans. In addition, pilot projects are being designed,
with a bottom-up philosophy and close public-private
collaboration, which will facilitate progress in the
implementation and evaluation of good practices,
despite the extent and complexity of the
demographic challenges presented.
Finally, the MAPA is working constantly to
support young people and generational change in
agricultural activity, with specific measures both
within the Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) and
with its own initiatives. In addition, this Ministry, in
collaboration with the Autonomous Communities
and the main agents and representatives in the
sector, has initiated the design of the future National
Strategic Plan for the post-2020 CAP.

6. Improve mechanisms for greater

public-private collaboration,
promoting the incorporation of
demographic factors into the 17.1
social responsibility of the private
sector, to convert all territories
into scenarios of opportunity.

7. Align the areas of action of the

Strategy with the fulfillment of the All
SDGs and the 2030 Agenda.

52

4 Localising the 2030 Agenda:
a multi-level action
Due to their proximity, decentralised government
administrations play a crucial role in society. The
work carried out by the Autonomous Communities
and local governments in Spain contributes very
significantly to the multi-level nature of the actions
taken and their locations. In this respect, local
communities and entities act as catalysts, promoting
actions with immediate repercussions and visibility
and inspiring the involvement of local citizens and
organisations.
For these reasons, the Government of Spain
considers the localisation of the SDGs to be an
essential dimension in assuring the success of the
2030 Agenda, and of related strategies such as the
Urban Agenda and the Circular Economy.
4.1. Advances in the Autonomous Communities
Summary of the main actions carried out by the Autonomous Communities. The complete documents are
shown in ANNEX 2.
Andalusia
In June 2018, the Andalusian Government
approved its Sustainable Development Strategy
for 2030 (EADS), to guide public and private policies
towards a type of socioeconomic development
incorporating economic prosperity, social inclusion,
gender equality and environmental protection. The
Strategy includes 37 lines of action, with 226
measures assigned to areas of priority and aligned
with the SDGs.
12
Available at:
https://www.agenda2030.gob.es/sites/default/files/recursos/Compromiso%20de%20Sevilla.%2027%2002%20
2019_0.pdf
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
As concluded in the “Sevilla Commitment”, the Final
Declaration of the High Level Event on Localising the
12
SDGs, held in Spain in February 2019 , the SDGs can
only be achieved through institutional and intersectoral
coordination, in which an essential role must be played
by dialogue and complementarity among local, national
and international stakeholders, and by collaboration with
the public and private sectors and with civil society.
In 2018, local and regional governments made
important efforts in their respective fields towards
advancing the implementation of the Agenda. This
progress is detailed below.
The Strategy outcomes will be monitored and
evaluated by means of 46 indicators, with biannual
reports and an intermediate evaluation. The Strategy
was adopted following consultation with several
Ministries within the Andalusian Government. It was
also open to social participation and received
contributions and suggestions from a range of interested
parties.
53
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

According to Presidential Decree 2/2019, of 21
January, the Andalusian Vice-Minister for Equality,
Social Policies and Conciliation is responsible for
the promotion and coordination of actions to achieve
the SDGs, and for their representation before
higher-ranking government bodies.
Preparation has begun of the Andalusian Plan
for International Development Cooperation 2019-
2022. This Plan will focus on the 17 SDGs, including
instrumental aspects of SDG 17 aimed at
strengthening instrumental resources and at
revitalising the Global Alliance for Sustainable
Development.
The Plan will lever the implementation of the 2030
Agenda in Andalusia in two strategic areas: on the
one hand, by contributing to the fight against poverty
and promoting sustainable human development in
the priority countries for Andalusian cooperation (in
conjunction with the UNDP); and on the other, by
fostering a well-informed, educated society that is
committed to sustainable human development
Implementation of the 2030 Agenda in Andalusia will
be complemented by the Andalusian System of
Sustainable Development Indicators for the 2030
13
Agenda , which currently includes 102 indicators.
These regional indicators are aligned with those
established by Spain and other EU countries, thus
facilitating comparison.

Aragón

The Aragón Strategy for Sustainable • ATLAS of Citizens’ Initiatives: a map locating hyper-local
Development contains some twenty actions to be actions of citizen innovation or social innovation, by
undertaken, most of which are well advanced. Of reference to the corresponding SDGs.
these measures, four that have been promoted in the • 2030 Alliance between Aragonese Federation
last year are especially significant: for Solidarity (FAS) and ECODES. The FAS
• EBRO 2030: This strategic plan is composed of has organised a roadshow to publicise the 2030
three major programmes: Ribera Verde (a 185 Agenda, carried out by the “Restaurante Mundo”
km green corridor along the banks of the river workshop in the 33 districts of Aragon. Together
Ebro, passing through Zaragoza, the longest of with ECODES, FAS is the driving force in Aragón
its kind in Spain); Expo Innova, a park focused for the 2030 Alliance.
on innovation, education and sustainable family
leisure; and the Water Innovation Conference, to
be held in December 2019. In addition, the
“Council for the Future” has been created, with
17 advisors, one for each SDG.
• CVOL: a digital platform that accredits the time
spent by volunteers in identifying, quantifying and
communicating thousands of social,
environmental and educational projects. The
platform can also be used to download a
certificate acknowledging the volunteers’ skills
and knowledge and their contribution to the 2030
Agenda.

13
https://www.juntadeandalucia.es/institutodeestadisticaycartografia/ods/index.htm

54

Balearic Isles
The Government of the Balearic Islands is
currently formulating a governance model to
incorporate the SDGs into government action in a
cross-cutting, systematic way. Significant measures
taken so far include:
• Plan to combat prostitution and the
trafficking of women and girls for sexual
exploitation (SDG 5).
• Law on climate change and energy transition
(Law 10/2019, of 22 February), to address the
causes of climate change within the current
model of energy production and consumption.
The Government’s aim is to eradicate the use of
fossil fuels by 2050 (SDGs 7 and 13).
• Law on health and safety at work (Law 7/2018,
of 31 July). This Law is intended to reduce the
currently high rates of accidents in the workplace
in the Balearic Islands and to enhance
mechanisms for the detection of occupational
diseases (SDG 8).
• Law on micro-cooperatives (Law 4/2019, of 31
January), to foster the creation and consolidation
of small cooperatives and of systems for
communal land use (SDG 8).
• Law on support for families (Law 8/2018, of 31
July), providing measures of social and economic
protection for vulnerable families (SDG 10).
Cantabria
Within the framework of Cantabria’s Strategy for
Sustainable Human Development, the following
advances have been made:
Ownership:
• Approval of the Education Strategy for
development and social transformation and
the development of two action plans, for formal
and non-formal/informal fields.
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
• Law on services to people in the social field
(Law 12/2018, of 15 November), regulating the
system for coordinated action by government
administrations and the third (social) sector to
develop a portfolio of high-quality social services
(SDG 10).
• Decree 15/2018, on the special scheme for
international development cooperation and
solidarity (SDG 10).
• Law on housing (Law 5/2018, of 8 February), to
provide solutions to the problem of access to
housing (ODS 10).
• Law on the environmental and economic
sustainability of the island of Formentera
(Law 7/2019, of 8 February), with measures to
reduce the massification of visitors and vehicles
on the island of Formentera during the tourist
season (SDG 11).
• Law on waste disposal and contaminated
soils (Law 8/2019, of 19 February) to manage
waste according to criteria of the circular
economy, and to reduce the impact of
contaminated and degraded soils (SDG 11).
• Law on agricultural activities (Law 3/2019, of
31 January), to ensure the continuity of
sustainable agricultural activities and of local
food production (SDG 15).
• Creation of a working group in the Cantabria
Local Sustainability Network (RLSC), to align
sustainability indicators for municipal activities
with the SDGs. In addition, training courses on
the 2030 Agenda are being held.
55
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

Policy coherence: Culture of learning:

• Preparations are under way to approve a Decree
creating an agency to coordinate and take
decisions on the implementation of the 2030
Agenda.
• An alliance has been forged between the
Cantabria Cooperative Fund Foundation (a
public sector foundation) and the Cantabrian
Coordinator of DNGOs for training on the 2030
Agenda.
Multidimensional focus:
• The agents and actions of Education for
Development in Cantabria are being mapped,
extending the diagnostic range to actions and
policies related to the SDGs. At the municipal
level, indicators of sustainability are being
aligned with the SDGs.
• An agency is being created to monitor and
evaluate the implementation of the SDGs in
Cantabria, among other functions.
Among future actions, the 2030 Plan for the
Sustainable Human Development of Cantabria,
based on regional and multi-stakeholder dialogue, is
expected to be approved in 2020. Thus, the SDGs
will be tackled through concrete, multidimensional
measures. In this respect, accountability will be
assured by the creation of a standing committee for
this purpose in the Parliament of Cantabria.

Castilla y León

The Government of Castilla y León is working to
implement the 2030 Agenda in four main areas:
Governance, Policy Coherence, Training and
Information/Awareness. In each of these, the aim is
to strengthen the attachment of the Agenda in the
territory and thus contribute to achieving the SDGs.
In this field, the following notable advances were
made in 2018:
• Policy coherence, with the publication of
“Guidelines for the Implementation of the 2030
14
Agenda in Castilla y León” .
• Training for key stakeholders, including:
• Training for public-sector workers, expressly
incorporating 2030 Agenda values into the
training programmes of all departments.
• Training for DNGOs and other organisations
within civil society, promoting SDG-related
activities, focusing on their cross-cutting
nature and addressing related communication
methodologies, helping interested parties
align their actions with the 2030 Agenda.
• Training for the educational community:
sessions aimed at teachers, management
and the educational community in general on
the content and effective transmission of the
Agenda. A Network of Schools and
Colleges for Development has been
created, with centres committed to the 2030
Agenda, to involve students in the co-
responsibility of achieving the SDGs.
• Informing and raising awareness:
• Subsidies for DNGOs and educational
institutions.
• Diversification of informative public actions, in
collaboration with the DNGO Coordinator of
Castilla y León and with other agencies in civil
society.

14
www.jcyl.es/agenda2030

56
 La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España

Castilla - La Mancha

A Monitoring Committee, chaired by the First Finally, a Strategy for the implementation and
Vice-President, has been created under Decree follow-up of the 2030 Agenda in Castilla-La Mancha
38/2018, of 5 June, to promote and record the is being prepared, including an Action Plan, its
actions taken towards fulfilling the 2030 Agenda, corresponding roadmap, a communication plan and
with representatives of all the agencies of the a code of good practices.
regional administration. Reporting to this
Committee, Working Groups for the SDGs have
been created, coordinated by the different Regional
Government Ministries, to coordinate the
participation of all involved.
On 13 March 2019, the Monitoring Committee
for the 2030 Agenda issued its report “Goals to
transform our world: Castilla-La Mancha, committed
15
to the 2030 Agenda” , an analysis of the progress
made, towards each SDG and target, in all the
actions conducted since 2015.

Catalonia

Since July 2018, the Catalonian Government has
finalised its National Plan for the Implementation of
the 2030 Agenda, including over 800 specific
commitments, domestic and international, related to
territorial and sectoral regulations and planning, the
Government’s Plan and departmental plans.
On 9 November 2018, the Catalonian Parliament
passed Motion 20/XII on the 2030 Agenda,
resolving to:
• Integrate the SDGs in its legislative action.
• Create a working group within the Committee on
External Action, Institutional Relations and
Transparency, to study means of integrating the
SDGs into all areas of parliamentary activity.
• Promote the 2030 Agenda in the international
and European associations and working groups
in which it participates.
In the same motion, Parliament urged the
Government to:
• As a cross-cutting measure, include
considerations of gender and sexual diversity in
the National Plan for the Implementation of the
2030 Agenda.
• Ensure that members of the Government take
stock of the degree of achievement of the SDGs
in their appearances before Parliamentary
committees.
• Obtain a twice-yearly report from the Advisory
Council for Sustainable Development (CADS), on
the progress made towards achieving the SDGs.
• Prepare the baseline document of the National
Agreement for the 2030 Agenda in Catalonia,
and energise the Catalonia 2030 Alliance, which
the Government began preparing in May 2019
with the involvement of stakeholders in civil
society.
In April 2019, the Catalonian Institute of Statistics
and the CADS began calculating the 99 Eurostat
SDG indicators for Catalonia.
In 2020, the following challenges will be
addressed:
• Conduct an internal review and update of the
Plan, within the Interdepartmental Committee for
the 2030 Agenda and related consultative
processes, with the participation of relevant
agencies established by the Catalonian
Government.

15
https://www.castillalamancha.es/gobierno/vicepresidenciaprime-ra/estructura/dgvriae/actuaciones/agenda-2030.
57
 INFORME DE PROGRESO

• Encourage public and private actors to sign the • Calculate and publish the Eurostat SDG
National Agreement for the 2030 Agenda. Create indicators.
and energise the Catalonia 2030 Alliance.
• Achieve the socialisation of the SDGs among
citizens, MPs and leading figures in civil society.

Valencia

The following documents have been published: Among other challenges to be addressed, the
• Map of progress made in Valencia towards Government of Valencia will:
achieving the SDGs. • Develop a regional strategy for sustainable
• Government policies and actions in 2018 with development, defining policies for the planning,
respect to the SDGs. implementation and monitoring of the SDGs and
• Map of SDG-related activities by the public their targets.
administration in Valencia in 2018. • Coordinate and lend coherence to sectoral
policies and to the Government’s legislative
These documents, prepared by the Directorate- initiatives, by drafting roadmaps or similar
General for Cooperation and Solidarity, provide documents for action, seeking to incorporate the
statistical information on areas concerning the SDGs and their targets into the Administration’s
SDGs, with particular reference to the 5Ps of the planning and budgeting instruments.
2030 Agenda - people, planet, prosperity, peace • Monitor and evaluate the degree of achievement
and partnerships, and present indicators reflecting of the SDGs in the region.
levels of poverty, nutrition, life expectancy, • Evaluate the alignment between the High
education, wage gaps between men and women, Advisory Council’s policies and the SDGs.
unemployment, access to energy in the home, the • Establish transparency mechanisms on the
implementation and use of new technologies, Government’s implementation of SDG-related
pollution, responsible consumption, crime and activities.
public-sector transparency, among other issues.
In December 2018, the High Advisory Council for
16
the development of the 2030 Agenda was formed.
This Council has 35 members, representing the
ministries of the regional government, other public
bodies, the trade unions and the business sector.
The Council also has six experts in economics, the
environment, children's rights and the social sector,
who are currently working in areas related to the
2030 Agenda or are conducting research in these
areas. The Council is chaired by the President of the
Government of Valencia.

16
Decree 94/2018, of 20 July, creating advisory and participation bodies for the Sustainable Development Goals.

58

Extremadura
The Government of Extremadura will localise and
promote the 2030 Agenda in the region via
measures expressing the Coherence of Public
Policy for Development (CPPD). This approach is
composed of four main areas, in which the following
are particularly significant:
• Governance framework for the 2030 Agenda
A Secretariat, reporting to the Office of the
President of Extremadura, has been set up to lead,
coordinate and articulate commitment to the CPPD
and to the 2030 Agenda. Political agreements will
be reached within the Regional Assembly, giving
rise to legislation and budgets aimed at achieving
compliance with the SDGs. Furthermore,
participatory spaces will be designed to facilitate the
representation of all stakeholders in the region.
• Strategy to advance the 2030 Agenda
Work has begun on defining political orientations
and major lines of action to achieve the Agenda.
In addition, a major commitment has been made
in the field of knowledge generation, focusing on two
main aspects: generating a knowledge system that
helps promote the CPPD and the Agenda, via
specific research and reports; and strengthening
academic and research activities in universities and
other knowledge centres in the region.
Galicia
In 2019, an Interdepartmental Commission was
set up to monitor compliance with the 2030 Agenda
and the SDGs in Galicia, and to propose new
actions in this respect. This measure fulfils one of
the recommendations made in the study “The
implementation of the 2030 Agenda for sustainable
development by the Government of Galicia”,
published in 2018.
To ensure the appropriate and effective
implementation of the 2030 Agenda, specific training
courses have been taken by the members of the
Commission and of the working groups. In addition,
the course “How to implement the 2030 Agenda in
the public administration” has been addressed to
staff
La implementación de la AGENDA 2030 en España
• Mapping lines of action to localise the SDGs
and promote the 2030 Agenda
Appropriate policies have been mapped and their
contribution and impact on the SDGs identified.
Progress is now being made to implement structures
ensuring that the transformations made and the
resources deployed are aligned with the priorities set
out in the CPPD.
In terms of capacity building, the Public
Administration School provides specific training
courses on the 2030 Agenda, the CPPD and human
rights, mainstreaming the perspective of sustainable
development and prioritising the development of
skills and competencies needed to apply the new
ways of thinking required by the 2030 Agenda.
• Report on progress in implementing the
CPPD and the 2030 Agenda
The preparation of a monitoring and
accountability report on compliance with the 2030
Agenda by the Extremadura Government is a
central part of its road map to promote the CPPD.
With the support of the Extremadura Institute of
Statistics and the staff units responsible for the
CPPD and the 2030 Agenda, the Secretariat for the
2030 Agenda will support and coordinate the Report
on progress and results achieved.
within the regional administration, local governments
and the universities of Galicia. The 2030 Agenda for
Galicia, currently being finalised, provides an
exhaustive diagnosis of the environmental and
social situation in the region, and presents a set of
indicators, based on those proposed by the UN,
adapted to the situation in Galicia.
59
 INFORME DE PROGRESO
Other projects or lines of work associated with
the 2030 Agenda include:
• The Galician Strategy for Climate Change and
Energy 2050. The main objective of this Strategy is
to transform Galicia into a climate-neutral region by
2050.
• Technical Coordination Office of the Pact of
Mayors for Climate and Energy. Staff from this
TCO will visit municipalities to discuss the 2030
Agenda and highlight its importance at the local
level.
• Galician Strategy for the Circular Economy 2030,
drafted in collaboration with the three universities
of the region. This Strategy is being made public
for general information.
• Galician Strategy for Corporate Social
Responsibility 2019-2021, encouraging Galician
companies to grow in equilibrium with economic,
environmental and social variables and with
principles of good governance.
• Galicia Strategy for Green Infrastructure, based
on a network of strategically-planned natural and
semi-natural areas, in order to sustainably
manage ecosystems and the services they
provide.
Madrid
Order 1864/2018, of 6 November, of the Ministry
of Environment and Territorial Planning, created the
Advisory Council for the Development of the 2030
Agenda in the Community of Madrid, to monitor and
support compliance with the SDGs. The Council
includes representatives from the Regional
Government, NGOs, social agents and the Third
Sector. At the first meeting of this Council, on 15
March 2019, the Regional Government presented
the document “170 Measures by the Community
of Madrid for Sustainable Development”,
representing the starting point for action by Madrid
towards achieving the SDGs. Of these 170
measures, the following are particularly significant:
• Strategy for Sustainable Waste Management in
Madrid 2017-2024 (Measure 121), for more
responsible and sustainable production and
consumption and to move towards a circular
economy model, with the ultimate aim of “zero
waste”.
• Protecting, restoring and promoting the sustainable
use of terrestrial ecosystems, via measures such as
60
• Energy Guidelines for Galicia 2020-2030, to
optimise the use of the region’s energy potential.
• Galician Culture Strategy 21, to protect, promote
and develop cultural diversity, strengthening
alliances to foster social participation (especially
by the most vulnerable citizens) and enhancing
the social function of cultural institutions.
• Fourth Master Plan of Galician Cooperation
2018-2021, incorporating the principal values of
the 2030 Agenda, in particular, that of “No-one
left behind”.
• Galician Digital Strategy for 2030, a roadmap to
address the challenges of digitalisation by
fostering and achieving a strong digital
ecosystem. This Strategy is currently being
prepared.
• Seventh Strategic Plan for equal opportunities
between women and men 2017-2020 and the
Galician Plan for Conciliation and Co-
responsibility 2018-2020.
the Master Plan for the Use and Management of
Sierra de Guadarrama. In addition, the protected
area in the region will increase from 48% to 52%
with the expansion of the Biosphere Reserves of
the upper basins of the Manzanares, Lozoya and
Guadarrama rivers and of the Sierra del Rincón
Reserve (Measures 143, 144 and 145). One of
the greatest challenges to be addressed is that of
maintaining and conserving these protected
areas, whilst avoiding depopulation. One
measure taken in this respect is the Strategy to
Revitalise Rural Municipalities (Measure 103),
with a target date of 2021.
• Measures to combat climate change, such as
support for efficient, low-emission mobility, with
subsidies to acquire less polluting vehicles
(Measure 129), the Parking Deterrent Plan
(Measure 123), the Energy Saving and Efficiency
Plan for Public Buildings (Measure 128), the
Electric Vehicle Promotion Board (Measure 130)
and the improvement and expansion of the Air
Quality Control and Surveillance Network
(Measure 140).

Murcia
The Regional Administration of Murcia has
implemented the following actions:
• An agreement has been reached with the
Development Studies Centre of the University of
Murcia to conduct a study to analyse the
sustainability of the region and to ascertain the
degree of compliance of its sectoral policies with
the SDGs and their targets. According to the
findings of this study, the Administration’s
objectives and plans may be modified. This study
will also address the Region’s ability to promote
lines of action related to the SDGs.
• On 30 May 2019, the Administration presented a
proposal for lines of action that will constitute the
2019-2020 Action Plan for the 2030 Agenda.
• Training and awareness courses are being
provided for staff in regional and municipal
administrations, organised by the Training and
Innovation School of the Regional Public
Administration), and also for civil society, with the
active participation of the educational,
associative and corporate sectors.
• Related events that have been organised include
the 1st National Conference on Development
Cooperation and SDGs, the SDG-Health and
Pharmaceutical Commitment Conference, and
the SDG-World Refugee Day.
Actions taken to raise awareness in this field
include:
• Collaboration Agreements with the University
of Murcia, the Polytechnic University of
Cartagena and the San Antonio Catholic
University, for the generation and transfer of
knowledge about the 2030 Agenda through
study, research and communication activities.
• The Integra Foundation has expressed its
support for the CompromeTICODS manifesto,
a commitment by the agents of the
information society to incorporate good
practices, for a society that is ethical, fair and
respectful towards the environment.
The implementation of the 2030 AGENDA in Spain
• Between November 2018 and June 2019, the
Administration promoted a wide-ranging
participatory process with public-sector
personnel, organised civil society (professional
colleges, social and environmental organisations,
the business sector, trades unions, etc.) and the
general public to discuss the weaknesses and
strengths of the regional government and to
make proposals for the 2019-2020 Action Plan
and the 2030 Strategy for a Sustainable Murcia.
• On 14 March 2019, the Regional Assembly
approved the Master Plan for International
Development Cooperation of the Region of
Murcia 2019-2022.
Among other actions to address future challenges,
the Administration will:
• Align the plans and programmes of existing
sectoral policies with the SDGs.
• Improve coordination with government bodies
and obtain synergies among the various
departments.
• Prepare a 2019-2020 Training Plan for public-
sector workers.
• Develop a 2019-2020 SDG Communication and
Awareness Plan.
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 PROGRESS REPORT

Navarra

On 30 April 2019, the Government of Navarra • Communicating the 2030 Agenda.

adopted an Agreement to adhere to the 2030 • Information on the implementation of the 2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development. This Agenda, and on the corresponding indicators,
Agreement approved the report “Alignment of the is included on the website of the Government
public policies of the Government of Navarra with of Navara. In addition, information leaflets
the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development” have been produced and the 2030 Agenda
prepared by the Interdepartmental Commission, logo is included in the corporate image.
which reflects the current status of the SDGs in • The Directorate-General for Culture has
Navarra and analyses each one, with its specific launched an awareness-raising programme
targets, with respect to the internal and the external for the libraries of Navarra, under the title,
contexts. In addition, the report includes a list of "This library supports the SDGs".
indicators based on those published by the • The development education programme
European Union, together with some that are “Solidarity in Schools” has dedicated this year
specific to the region of Navarra. to publicising the 2030 Agenda; moreover, the
The Government has also approved the Action Navarra International Prize for Solidarity has
Plan for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda been aligned with the 2030 Agenda.
in its public policies, which includes the following • In autumn 2019, a communication and
areas of activity: dissemination plan will be presented by the
• Governance, consisting of the Interdepartmental Directorate-General for Communications and
Commission (created on 15 March 2017), the Institutional Relations and the Navarra
Committee (created on 30 April 2019) and the Institute of Sports and Youth.
Multi-Agency Platform.
17
• Monitoring system, via a list of indicators .
• Localisation. For the first progress report, a
proposal will be made to identify goals that may
be subject to territorialisation. Certain specific
indicators have been introduced for this purpose.
• Interiorisation of the message, by all
departments. To achieve this:
• Strategic references will be made to the
SDGs and their targets in the 2020 budget
programmes for the region.
• A framework for issuing sustainable bonds or
loans, with references to the 2030 Agenda,
has been created.
• Training in the priorities of the 2030 Agenda
has begun for public-sector workers, via the
Navarra Institute of Public Administration.

17
http://ods-agenda2030.navarra.es/ http://gih-2030agenda.navarra.es/

62
 The implementation of the 2030 AGENDA in Spain

Basque Country

In March 2019, within the framework of the Inter-institutional Project

Basque Country 2030 Agenda, the first annual
The Inter-institutional Committee initiated this
monitoring report, corresponding to 2017, was
project, in support of a Basque Country 2030
presented to the Basque Parliament, detailing 100
Agenda, in conjunction with provincial and city
major actions, 56 planning instruments and six
councils. Its main aim is to strengthen the
legislative initiatives. The 2018 report was
localisation of the SDGs by emphasising the role of
scheduled to be available by July 2019, listing 100 multilevel governance and by projecting an
significant actions, 66 planning instruments and 16 international image of the Basque Country as a
legislative initiatives. Each report provides data on
region that is closely aligned with the 2030 Agenda.
the 50 indicators contained in the Agenda. Important
advances in this area include the following:
Diagnosis and guidance for Basque
municipalities
Training
In June 2018, the Udalsarea 2030 Network,
• Public Administration Personal Training Course,
created almost 20 years ago to represent the 251
provided by the Basque Institute of Public
Basque Municipalities, published a document
Administration on the 2030 Agenda.
analysing the contribution made by Basque
• Summer Course at the University of the Basque
municipalities to the SDGs through their Plans for
Country under the title “The 2030 Agenda and Local Sustainability Action, taking the 2015 data as
the Sustainable Development Goals: Making our a benchmark. In addition, a Guide has been
Public Policies more efficient”. Collaborators with produced to facilitate the alignment of these local
this course include representatives of sustainability action plans with the 2030 Agenda.
international organisations (UNDP, UN Global
Compact, etc); networks (REDS), other
institutions, local government and public
companies (Ihobe, Emakunde, AVCD).

Collaboration agreement
An agreement has been reached between the
Basque Government Department for Economic
Development, the UN Global Compact and
employers’ organisations (CEBEK, ADEGI, SEA),to
develop the following activities, between March and
December 2019: create an online training platform;
adapt the training/monitoring module for online use;
adapt the online SDG management tool; provide
advice on the management tool and monitor its use.

63
 PROGRESS REPORT

La Rioja

The following actions were carried out during Following the success of this initiative, a new course
2018: is planned for 2019.
• Communication and divulgation: advertising
campaign, with celebrities, launched in • Strategic planning with a focus on
18
December 2018 to publicise the 2030 Agenda. sustainable development: All the actions taken
• Awareness raising: Programme of grants for
by the Regional Government have been
NGO projects related to education for catalogued according to their relevance to the
development, within the SDGs. In the last three SDGs and their targets, thus making it possible
years, the budget for this programme has been to determine which aspects of the regional
tripled and the implementation of SDG-related budget (and which actions taken by the regional
projects has been prioritised. In this context, 41 administration) are aimed at the implementation
projects have been carried out, in collaboration 19
of each SDG and its targets . This planning
with 19 NGOs. exercise has inspired a process of reflection and,
• Education for Citizenship: A training in many cases, has resulted in the administration
programme in this area was launched in 2018, in redefining its actions and intentions. As a
association with the Foundation of the University tangible outcome of this exercise, an SDG
of La Rioja. scorecard has been made available to the
Regional Governing Council enabling it to
In this context, the course “Governance and evaluate the Government's actions concerning
working methods for the implementation of the 2030 the SDGs.
Agenda for Sustainable Development in La Rioja” is
aimed at public-sector personnel and
representatives of the public and private sectors.
The aim of the course is to address theoretical and
practical aspects of incorporating the SDGs into the
planning, monitoring and execution of public
policies, and to assess the degree to which this has
been achieved.
Within the framework of the SDGs, two themed
networks have been created. One is focused on
mainstreaming the 2030 Agenda at the University of
La Rioja, through three areas of action: education,
research and service, while the other addresses the
practical difficulties that may be encountered in
including the 2030 Agenda in the activities of daily life.

18
Available at: https://www.larioja.org/larioja-client/cm/publicidad/images?idMmedia=1118523,
https://www.larioja.org/ publicidad/es/campanas-publicidad/campanas-2018/dia-derechos-humanos
19
This classification can be consulted at: https://www.larioja.org/larioja-client/cm/hacienda/ images?idMmedia=1063056

64
 The implementation of the 2030 AGENDA in Spain

4.2 Local governments

The Spanish Federation of Municipalities and • Generating and exchanging knowledge via a
Provinces (FEMP), which is the national association local Observatory monitoring the 2030
of local governments and also the Spanish section Agenda
of the Council of Municipalities and Regions of
In order to establish a local SDG Observatory, the
Europe (CMRE), as well as an active member of the
FEMP has created a diagnostic map of localisation
group United Cities and Local Governments
actions associated with the 2030 Agenda, a training
(UCLG), is an effective agency for the promotion of
school on SDG-related issues and a digital platform
the 2030 Agenda within the local framework. The
for Ibero-American cities and the SDGs. In addition,
FEMP Strategy for the fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda
it has promoted decentralised cooperation to work
has been designed, developed and implemented
for the SDGs. Among other actions, a collaboration
with the following aims in mind (see full text in
alliance has been forged between the FEMP and
Annex 4):
the Sustainable Cities network (REDS) to exchange
experiences and develop diagnostic tools and
• Institutional strengthening and awareness
knowledge about local governance for the promotion
raising
of the SDGs. The FEMP/REDS Alliance has
In order to enhance political involvement, raise
published the report 'The SDGs in 100 Spanish
awareness and provide support and advice to its 24
cities' and has agreed to conduct a joint working
members regarding the formulation and
strategy. In addition, the Community of Practice on
development of local strategies for 2030, the FEMP 25
Transparency and Local Open Government is
organised various significant actions in 2018-2019.
20 working for sustainable development within the
For example, the Local Week for the 2030 Agenda
framework of UCLG (United Cities and Local
was held in October 2018 to promote exchanges of
Governments), promoting SDG 16 as a lever for the
information and to foster learning about the local
local implementation of the SDGs. This activity has
implementation of the SDGs and to approve the
21 resulted in the publication of the White Paper on
Local Strategy for a Circular Economy .
Transparency and Open Government at the Local
26
Level , by Urban 20. The local governments have
• Strengthening the role of local also made valuable contributions within the national
administrations in the development of the and global contexts, for example in technical
2030 Agenda consultations for the preparation of a report on the
The FEMP has played an active role in supporting localisation of SDG 16, to be presented at the 2019
governance at the national level. Among other High-level Political Forum, and the documentation of
activities, it has promoted the participation of local good practices on the localisation of SDG 16 in
governments in preparing documents, in performing Spain.
voluntary reviews and strategies and in encouraging
multilevel dialogue, within local, regional, national,
European and international administrations. Of
outstanding importance in this area is the FEMP’s
participation in the work group of the Spanish Urban
Agenda, in the Global Forum of Local
22
Governments and in organising the international
23
meeting “Think Europe 2019: Commitment 2030” .

20
http://localizandoods.es/
21
http://www.femp.es/comunicacion/noticias/la-estrategia-local-de-economia-circular
22
http://forodegobiernoslocalessevilla.com/
23
http://thinkeurope.es/
24
https://proyectos.irispressmz.com/thinkeurope/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Informe-urbano-REDS-ODS-2018-parte-I.pdf
25
https://proyectos.irispressmz.com/thinkeurope/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/Informe-urbano-REDS-ODS-2018-parte-I.pdf
26
https://opengov.uclg.org/sites/opengov.uclg.org/files/2019-02/U20_WP_Transparency_in_cities.pdf

65
 PROGRESS REPORT

• Promoting alliances and international Another challenge to be addressed is that of

cooperation strengthening the Local Observatory so that it can
The FEMP plays an active role in international properly monitor the implementation of the 2030
Agenda as a space for promoting knowledge,
networks of local authorities by participating in
developing instruments and providing training for the
European and international projects to promote the
2030 Agenda. In this respect, it has strengthened implementation of 2030 Agenda-oriented local plans
alliances with international organisations and in Spain. This Observatory will also support the
creation of a Local Agency for International
programmes engaged in SDG localisation, and has
Development Cooperation to align local cooperation
promoted open dialogue and collaborative
plans with the objectives of the 2030 Agenda.
endeavours with those working to achieve the SDGs
and to influence the future European policy for post-
2020 social cohesion and the relation with the 2030
Agenda. Advances made in this area include the
approval of a new framework for collaboration
between the FEMP and the Spanish Agency for
International Development Cooperation (AECID).
Another significant achievement is the FEMP -
Ibero-American General Secretariat (SEGIB) -
Ibero-American City of Knowledge initiative for
sustainable development, leadership and joint work
with projects, international organisations and
support networks for the localisation of the SDGs
(such as PLATFORMA, Art-UNDP, UN-Habitat,
LOCAL 2030). Finally, the FEMP has collaborated
with the “Alliance for Open Government” to promote
open government at the local level as a strategy for
the implementation of the SDGs. This partnership
has resulted in the development of training, political
and knowledge-acquiring activities.

Challenges for 2019-2020

The FEMP has emphasised the need to ensure
its political actions during the period 2019-2023 are
compatible with promoting the necessary reforms to
expand the current level of decentralisation,
enhance skills, allocate appropriate resources and
take decisions on public spending and investment
within the framework of a multi-level approach
towards fulfilment of the 2030 Agenda. A key aspect
of these tasks will be the coordinated efforts made
with the Ibero-American General Secretariat,
fostering multi-stakeholder alliances and creating
inclusive projects capable of mobilising resources
and generating innovative responses in order to
achieve the SDGs. In addition, the FEMP will seek
further advances in its generation of a national-level
cohesion policy regarding the 2030 Agenda, thus
enabling the regions and other territories of Spain to
make effective progress towards the SDGs.

66

5 The commitment of
all sectors
The Sustainable Development Council was
created as a collegiate body to materialise the
participation of civil society in achieving the SDGs.
This Council reflects the diversity of organisations
representing social interests in Spanish society and
provides a channel for the commitment of all
partners working to achieve the 2030 Agenda. The
preparation of the Action Plan to implement the
2030 Agenda was inspired by the wish to combine
and coordinate the efforts of different areas of
society,
5.1 Business sector
a. Spanish Confederation of Business
Organisations (CEOE)
With the renewal of the CEOE management
team in December 2018, the implementation of the
2030 Agenda in Spanish companies as an element
of competitiveness has become one of the
organisation’s strategic priorities for the next eight
years.
To pilot this strategy, the CEOE, as well as creating
a Sustainability Directorate within its board of directors,
has invited well-known entrepreneurs, experts in
international organisations and climate change, to join
its Executive Committee.
Among its first operational measures, the
Executive Committee has set up two working groups
on SDGs and the 2030 Agenda among the CEOE
committees: one on Sustainability and the other on
Sustainable Development and the Environment.
In addition, a framework for regular collaboration
has been initiated with the Spanish Global Compact
Network, which takes part in the meetings of the
CEOE’s CSR Committee and will advise the 2030
Agenda working groups. The CEOE has agreed to
join the Multisectoral Forum of the Global Compact
as the sole business organisation to be represented.
The implementation of the 2030 AGENDA in Spain
focusing on the common ideals represented in the
Agenda. Many of the parties involved, whether or
not members of the Sustainable Development
Council, contributed to the implementation of the
2030 Agenda during 2018. This section of the
Progress Report describes the main actions
performed by some of these bodies. Annex 5
contains a more detailed account of their
contributions.
The CEOE is also collaborating with the Spanish
High Commission for the 2030 Agenda and with the
future “Business Alliance”, in which it will play a key
role as a “facilitator” to ensure the 2030 Agenda
makes the greatest possible impact among Spanish
companies.
b. Spanish Confederation of Small and
Medium-sized Enterprises (CEPYME)
The most important advance by this organisation
during 2018 was its elaboration of an Action Plan,
according to which the CEPYME will collaborate
with the PGS Group, in the project “Invest in Cities”,
to support the business fabric in cities with growth
potential.
Other highlights of 2019 include the
Collaboration Agreement signed by CEPYME and
the Spanish Global Compact Network, and the
design and implementation of a questionnaire for
the CEPYME 500 Network, to determine the actions
taken by these companies in relation to the SDGs.
67
 PROGRESS REPORT

c. Professional Union
During 2018, the Professional Union (the national
association of Spanish professional colleges)
presented its Strategic Plan 2018-2020, which
includes an SDG Working Group to coordinate the
actions of the association related to the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda. It also urged its
members to work to achieve the 2030 Agenda, in
the context of a partnership agreement reached
between the World Union of Liberal Professions
(UMPL) and the European Council of the Liberal
Professions (CEPLIS) .
27
In addition, the Professional Union has organised
diverse awareness-raising activities, such as its
presentation “The work of the Professional Councils
and Colleges to achieve the SDGs on the climate”
28
at the National Environment Congress (CONAMA).
This action led to the Professional Union being
included in the special dossier of good practices on
SDG 13 by the Spanish Global Compact Network .
29
Other notable activities performed in this area
were the “Professions and Equality” session, related
30
to SDG 5, held on International Women's Day ; the
conference “United professions for a changing
31
world” , focused on SDG 17; and a communiqué on
SDG values, the professions and diversity, issued
on the occasion of the World Day of the Liberal
32
Professions . Finally, the SDGs were a major
33
element of Internet Day .
Among others, the following documents on the
2030 Agenda have been published: “SDG Year 3: A
global alliance for the 2030 Agenda” and “NGOs and
the SDGs: Communicating Progress 2018, an
integrated vision in sustainability and reporting”. The
Network has also published the compendium
COMparte, presenting over 370 good practices, and
has assessed the actions carried out by companies
signatories to the Global Compact, through an
exhaustive analysis of the sustainability reports of
the leading companies in the Spanish economy (the
IBEX 35 firms) and of the data compiled in the 2018
Progress Report.
Finally, the Global Compact has continued to foster
the generation of stakeholder alliances to work for the
SDGs, notably in its collaboration with the Official
Credit Institute of Spain (ICO) to create the
“#ICOpymeODS” web space, and in its promotion of
two platforms focused on SDG 13: “The Community
for the Climate” and “The Spanish Platform for Climate
Action”, with the participation of the Ministry for
Ecological Transition.

d. Spanish Global Compact Network

During 2018, the Spanish Global Compact
Network was active in three main fields:
training/divulgation, the publication of reports and
reference documents, and the generation and
evaluation of stakeholder alliances.
With respect to training and awareness-raising,
the Global Compact and its partner associations
organised five general courses, with 927
participants, launched campaigns such as
#Companies4SDGs and presented the first Go!SDG
awards.

27
http://www.unionprofesional.com/posicionamientoconjunto-de-la-umpl-y-ceplis-sobre-la-agenda-2030-delas-
naciones-unidas para-el-desarrollo-sostenible/
28
http://www.unionprofesional.com/union-profesionalaborda-los-ods-climaticos-en-conama-2018/
29
http://www.unionprofesional.com/union-profesionalaborda-los-ods-climaticos-en-conama-2018/
30
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qJ82Gzd0XAU
31
http://www.unionprofesional.com/la-union-mundial-de-las-profesiones-liberales-marca-su-hoja-de-ruta-global/
32
http://www.unionprofesional.com/los-objetivos-de-desarrollo-sostenible-en-el-dia-mundial-de-las-profesiones/
33
http://www.unionprofesional.com/los-objetivos-de-desarrollo-sostenible-protagonistas-del-dia-de-internet/

68

5.2. The trade unions
a. General Union of Workers (UGT)
The 2030 Agenda and the SDGs are of
undoubted importance to the work of the UGT,
which has created an internal group as an initial
step towards including these goals, targets and
indicators in all its activities.
This internal group for the 2030 Agenda and the
SDGs, created in March 2019, will consider these
questions and seek to involve the entire
organisation with two main aims: to incorporate the
SDGs into union work, with a horizontal focus; and
to ensure that they are effectively addressed within
each trade union affiliate.
b. Workers’ Commissions (CCOO)
Regarding the 2030 Agenda, the Workers’
Commission Confederation of Trade Unions (CS-
CCOO) acts in accordance with the resolution
passed by its Executive Commission on the
International Agenda for Sustainable
34
Development , which was approved on 24 March
2017.
5.3 Universities and research centres
During 2018, in the context of the 2030 Agenda
and the SDGs, the Conference of Rectors of
Spanish Universities (CRUE) acted on behalf of the
university sector as a whole, regardless of the
actions carried out by individual institutions. These
actions were mainly focused on making further
progress in the areas defined for the universities in
the Action Plan for the Implementation of the 2030
Agenda in Spain.
For this purpose, the 2030 Agenda inter-sector
committee was created, within CRUE, as an internal
coordination space to promote the implementation of
the SDGs within the university system. Various
instruments have been developed to determine the
status of the SDGs in the universities, and work has
been done to strengthen the link between Spanish
universities and other agents, via the following national
alliances or links: the Spanish Office on Climate
Change, AECID, the Spanish Network of Healthy
34
https://www.ccoo.es/noticia:234840--Resolucion_de_la_Comision_Ejecutiva_de_CCOO_ante_la_Agenda_Internacional_de_
Desarrollo_Sostenible
35
https://www.ccoo.es/121e983a4624e08001e4aaa8d573ea85000001.pdf
36
http://www.1mayo.ccoo.es/ac624d121bf82d5fd2c698babc6789f9000001.pdf”
The implementation of the 2030 AGENDA in Spain
CCOO took part in the meetings of the High-level
Group to draft its Action Plan for the Implementation
of the 2030 Agenda. In July 2018, in conjunction
with UGT and USO, it prepared a summary sheet to
be published by the Trade Union Network for
Development Cooperation (RSCD), which is part of
the International Trade Union Confederation, on the
situation of the SDGs and their application in Spain,
on the occasion of the High-level Political Forum on
Sustainable Development, “Trade unions and the
35
SDGs: the view from Spain” .
In October 2018, the “2018 Trade Union Report
on the SDGs, from discourse to action in CCOO”
36
was published . The CCOO initiatives on the 2030
Agenda were transmitted to the High Commission
for the 2030 Agenda in November 2018.
Universities and the Inter-university Network of
Environmental Volunteer Work. In addition, there
are European alliances or links: the Copernicus
Alliance, the European University Network for
Sustainable Mobility and the European Climate
Foundation; and international alliances or links such
as IAU-HESD and the Global Universities
Partnership on Environment and Sustainability.
Campaigns to raise awareness and to
consolidate public debate on the 2030 Agenda have
continued among the university community, through
the organisation of, and participation by CRUE
representatives in, conferences, congresses,
lectures and debates. Finally, CRUE has worked to
implement various indicators and accountability
mechanisms with respect to the SDGs.
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 PROGRESS REPORT
5.4 Third-sector platforms and citizens’
networks
a. The Third-Sector Platform (TSP)
The Third-Sector Platform is working to achieve
the SDGs, by applying its internal strength, i.e. its
cohesion, dedication and effectiveness, to generate
concrete proposals and transformative policies
aimed at combating poverty, inequality and
discrimination and promoting sustainability.
In 2018, the TSP’s internal SDG group, established
by its Standing Committee, published the document
“Alignment of the 2030 Agenda with the social agenda,
and the Third Sector Platform’s action plan for 2019”. In
accordance with this action plan, contributions have
been made to the National Strategy to Prevent and
Combat Poverty, to the 2019-2020 National Strategy
th
against Energy Poverty and to the 4 Open
Government Plan. The revised Social Charter, aligned
with the 2030 Agenda, was also approved in 2018.
The TSP has promoted alliances with other
Third-Sector organisations, such as the G5 Group,
the SDG Alliance and Future in Common. In
addition, it has collaborated with the Spanish
Volunteer Platform and La Liga Foundation to
produce a Guide for voluntary work in sports and
third-sector activities, in line with the priorities of the
2030 Agenda.
The TSP has also worked to raise the profile of
the 2030 Agenda and its transformative impact,
participating in the organisation and promotion of
various events.
Finally, the Platform has incorporated a
transversal approach into its work, in areas such as
manifestos for national, regional and local elections,
in social programmes funded from the 0.7% of
personal income tax assigned to this purpose, and
in the campaign “Give an X for Solidarity” to foster
contributions by companies in their tax returns.
b. Platform of Social Action
Organisations
In 2019, the Platform took part in various forums,
such as Future in Common, created to identify the
challenges for our country, to take stock of the
actions taken so far and to propose a system of
governance that will give the Agenda a solid
foundation. From this involvement, an integrative
framework of analysis has been developed and
priority measures defined.
70
In 2019, in collaboration with the Global
Compact, the Platform has published “NGOs and
the SDGs”, a guide for NGOs to contribute to
achieving the SDGs. This approach is intended to
consolidate the framework of priority tasks to be
adopted in networks and forums, thus enhancing
their impact and furthering progress towards the
SDGs.
c. Platform of Organisations for Children’s Rights
The Platform for Children’s Rights works in three
main areas: political advocacy; organisational
structuring and reinforcement; and participation by
children. Among these three areas, the following
actions are especially significant:
• Taking an active role in the preparation of the
Government’s 2019-2023 National Strategy to
Combat Poverty and Social Exclusion, which will
impact on SDGs 1, 4 and 10 in particular. The
2019 and 2020 plans are currently being drawn
up.
• Promoting a Non-Legislative Motion for a State
Pact for Children, to reduce child poverty and to
promote early education (for 0-3 year-olds),
impacting on SDGs 4 and 10. This Motion was
passed unanimously.
• Participating in drafting the Bill for an Organic Law
on the Integral Protection of Children and
Adolescence against Violence (relevant to SDG
16).
• Contributing to the 2nd Human Rights Plan, the
2018 National Reform Plan 2018 and the National
Report on Spain by the European Commission.
These plans relate to children's rights, and SDGs 1,
4, 10 and 16.
• Promoting the visit of the Special Representative
of the UN General-Secretary to support an
Organic Law on the Integral Protection of
Children and Adolescents against Violence
(relevant to SDG 16).
• Organising an appearance by children and
adolescents in the Congress of Deputies, to
present their views to the Committee for
Children. This activity is relevant to SDGs 4, 5,
13 and 16.
d. Spanish Platform for Voluntary Work (PVE)
The most significant action carried out by the
PVE during 2018 was to prepare the Guide for
voluntary work in sports and third-sector activities, in
line with the 2030 Agenda, in collaboration with La
 The implementation of the 2030 AGENDA in Spain

Liga

71
 PROGRESS REPORT
Foundation and the Third-Sector Platform, and the
launch of the “ODS and Fundraising” online training
programme, as part of the Values in Play project,
developed jointly with La Liga Foundation. The aim
of this project is to work with sports organisations
offering programmes for young people, and to raise
awareness among these organisations about the
SDGs and their relevance to young people, thus
contributing to the achievement of the 2030 Agenda.
e. European Network to Combat Poverty
and Social Exclusion (EAPN-ES)
The European Network to Combat Poverty and
Social Exclusion in Spain (EAPN-ES) has
incorporated the 2030 Agenda into its work plan and
is currently preparing the “Guide to the SDGs and
the fight against poverty and inequality: taking action
locally and worldwide”.
EAPN-ES has worked to enhance institutional
encounters and to expand the spaces for dialogue and
collaboration within all levels of government. To this
end, it has collaborated in events such as the April
2019 meeting on child poverty and the 2030 Agenda,
organised by the Presidency of the Government.
EAPN-ES has also continued to support the
promotion of alliances to raise awareness of the
SDGs and to encourage reflection on the policies
needed to achieve them. In the European context,
as members of the platform SDG Watch Europe,
EAPN-ES has helped monitor strategic EU
documents related to the 2030 Agenda (for
example, the EU Action Plan and the reflection
document “Towards a more sustainable Europe by
2030”). In Spain, and within the Future in Common
framework, it has collaborated in the preparation of
the 2018 Civil Society report “A transforming 2030
Agenda for people and the planet: proposals for
political action” and in that of “Key elements for a
transformative development of the 2030 Agenda”.
f. Spanish Committee of
Representatives of Persons with
Disabilities (CERMI)
In relation to the 2030 Agenda, CERMI has been
active in two main areas: political advocacy and the
preparation of reports and reference documents.
In this regard, CERMI has made proposals to
include disability in the political and public agendas,
with documents such as “The political agenda of
disability in the European Union 2019-2024:
elections to the European Parliament”, “Human
Rights and Disability: Spain 2018” and the
“Alternative Report on the Independent Mechanism
for the second review of Spain by the UN
Committee on the Rights of Persons with
Disabilities".
72
Another field in which CERMI has been working
is that of gender issues and defending the rights of
women and girls with disabilities – see for example
the “Spain 2018 Report”. Various actions to combat
gender violence have been undertaken within the
framework of the State Pact against Gender
Violence and the 2nd Social Forum for Women and
Girls with Disabilities. An important document in the
context of SDG 11 is the “Report on technical
assistance to develop a strategy for the accessibility
and inclusion of women with disabilities in the
Ciudad Mujer Centres in the Dominican Republic”.
Finally, CERMI has supported the publications
"The SDGs and Disability, a Work Plan" and
"Sustainable Development Goals and the promotion
of the rights of persons with disabilities".
g. Spanish Coordinator of Development
Cooperation Organisations (CONGDE)
In 2018, CONGDE supported the intersectoral
work promoted by Future in Common, with other
social platforms in Spain, in drafting the report “A
Transformative Agenda for people and the planet”,
which formed part of Spain’s National Voluntary
Review presented at the High Level Political Forum
in July 2018.
In addition, CONGDE supported Concord, the
platform for European DNGOs and part of the
European Multisectoral Platform, to consider
common proposals on how the Agenda should best
be implemented in Europe. Moreover, it presented
the report “Are you going to prioritise sustainable
development?”, an open letter to European leaders
urging greater emphasis on sustainable development
in the 2019-2024 Strategic Agenda. As part of SDG
Watch Europe, it published a manifesto for a
Sustainable Europe and for its citizens to be at the
heart of concerns during the electoral period in the
EU.
Together with FORUS (the International Forum
of Platforms), CONGDE took part in the debate on
the Global Initiative. The Index of Policy Coherence
with Sustainable Development (ICPDS), to be
presented in autumn 2019, is currently being
updated.
The regional coordinators, within the national
organisation, have promoted the prioritisation of the
SDGs by regional and local authorities. Coinciding
with the municipal and regional elections, these
coordinators have issued the document "2030
Agenda for Sustainable Development in
decentralised cooperation", setting out their views in
this respect to the political parties standing in the
elections.

h. Spanish Family Planning Federation
(FPFE)
During 2018, the FPFE undertook various cross-
cutting activities in the framework of the 2030
Agenda and the SDGs, but with particular impact on
SDGs 3 and 5. New programmes were initiated to
prevent and detect gender violence, including mixed
interventions combining direct attention with the
organisation of specific workshops. In this field, too,
a MED-RES programme was launched to combat
sexual and gender-based violence, and the FPFE
coordinated responses made by the migrant
reception systems of Mediterranean countries for
persons who are victims of sexual or gender-based
violence.
In the national and international contexts, and as
37
part of the consortium Countdown 2030 Europe ,
the FPFE has analysed the contributions to sexual
and reproductive health made by the development
and funding policies of European countries. In
addition, it has participated in the sessions of the
UN Commission on the Status of Women and in the
International Parliamentarians Conference on the
38
Implementation of the ICPD .
Finally, workshops have been held to raise
awareness worldwide and to extend the principles
and objectives of the 2030 Agenda, in relation to
39
sexual and reproductive health and rights .
i. Federation of Associations for the
Defence and Promotion of Human Rights in
Spain
The Federation works to promote peaceful and
inclusive societies by working to protect human
rights defenders at risk. The achievements of the
Federation and its constituent organisations form
two main groups:
37
https://www.countdown2030europe.org/
38
http://intergruposalud.es/declaracion-de-ottawa-parlamentarias-os-se-comprometen-a-enfrentar-los-retos/
39
http://www.fpfe.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/08/2018.-Recomendaciones-2030.pdf
The implementation of the 2030 AGENDA in Spain
On the one hand, by contributing to lever
policies: the Federation has special consultative
status with the United Nations and has submitted
written declarations in defence of equality and non-
discrimination under the title “Provide skills training
to ensure inclusion and equality”. Each of the
Federation’s organisations conducts initiatives to
support vulnerable population groups, especially
refugee and immigrant populations, and always from
a gender perspective.
Furthermore, the Federation contributes to assuring
compliance with the transformative measures of the
Action Plan for the implementation of the 2030 Agenda.
Regarding the promotion of alliances for the SDGs, the
Federation has participated in the multinational project
“Europe in the World” - Engaging in the 2030
Sustainable Development Agenda Cross sectoral CSO
coalitions to engage European citizens and decision-
makers in implementing the SDG”, funded by the
European Union.
j. Future in Common
The following main actions have been taken
following approval of the Action Plan:
• Presentation of the Civil Society Report “A
transformative agenda for people and the planet”.
• Preparation of contributions to the preparation of
the Sustainable Development Strategy, which
are included in the document “Key elements for a
transformative development of the 2030
Agenda”.
• Inclusion of the views of Future in Common on
the 2030 Agenda, in the social media
conversation and in public discussion.
• Organisation of an electoral debate with the main
national political parties, emphasising the need to
incorporate sustainable development into
government programmes, highlighting the
importance of the 2030 Agenda as the
framework lending coherence to public policies.
• Participation in the mobilisation of European civil
society for the inclusion of the 2030 Agenda and
the principles of sustainable development in the
2019-2024 Strategic Agenda.
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 PROGRESS REPORT
5.5. Organisations representing social interests
through State Advisory Councils
The Sustainable Development Council works in
diverse areas of special interest for the
implementation of the 2030 Agenda, through
Consultative Councils and Observatories with a
national focus. The Council provides a channel of
expression for young people, consumers and
women’s groups, among other areas of society. The
work of some of these Councils is described below.
a. National Schools Council
The National Schools Council publishes an
annual report on the state of the education system,
referring to the preceding academic year. This
Report contains information from administration
bodies, teaching/management personnel and other
public and private agents with responsibilities for the
regulation, financing and provision of services to
guarantee the right to education in Spain, and for
the measures and actions implemented in this
regard. The 2019 Report contains a section
dedicated to the 2030 Agenda, and to SDG 4 in
particular. In addition, the chapter discussing the
results of the education system dedicates space to
the evolution in Spain of the indicators for both
agendas. The results for these indicators and
Spain’s commitments to the 2030 Agenda are
subject to revision and the final proposals made in
the 2019 Council Report.
The Board also publishes the “Educational
Participation” Magazine, the 2019 edition of which is
entitled “Educational Participation and Improvement.
2030 Agenda”, highlighting the future challenges to
education identified in the Agenda, in SDG 4 in
particular.
b. Spanish Youth Council
The Spanish Youth Council (SYC), a national
and regional platform of youth organisations and
councils, is working to achieve the greatest possible
involvement of young people in the 2030 Agenda
and to highlight this commitment, both with the 2030
Agenda and also with the 11 Youth Goals targeted
in the EU Youth Strategy for 2019-2027 (these
Goals are interrelated and correspond directly with
the SDGs). The SYC encourages its members to
promote the 2030 Agenda through training activities
and emphasises the specific needs of young people
via campaigns such as the Youth Agenda.
74
Among other actions, the SYC conducts
research and considers the policy implications of
SDGs 1 and 10. In this respect, the Report on Youth
Poverty and the work performed by the Observatory
of Emancipation are particularly important. The SYC
has also focused on SDG 5, seeking to raise
awareness on gender equality in education via the
campaign #NoTeloContóPero [They didn’t tell you
but] and the creation of the Non-Mixed Operational
Group for the empowerment of women in youth
organisations.
c. Council for Consumer Affairs
The organisations within the Council for
Consumer Affairs have undertaken numerous
activities aimed at achieving the SDGs, either
through their representative role or via the direct
execution of projects and programmes. In addition,
they have launched informative and training
campaigns to defend the basic right of all
consumers of goods and services, in all areas of
business activity, and to ensure universal access to
basic resources, such as water, energy and the
internet.
This Council has done significant work in the field
of SDG 12 ( Responsible production and
consumption), which it views as a fundamental aspect
of the work performed by its member organisations.
Specifically, the Council seeks to promote responsible,
sustainable forms of consumption and the better
management and more efficient use of available
resources, in the context of a circular economy.
d. Library Cooperation Council
In 2018, the Library Cooperation Council
presented its “National Strategy for Information and
Libraries”, in response to the basic principles of
acknowledging the value of access to information
and promoting universal literacy. These are
fundamental pillars of the planning and provision of
library services in Spain, underpinning the
transformation of society called for in the 2030
Agenda.

In this year too, the Council set up the Strategic
40
Working Group “Libraries and the 2030 Agenda” ,
in the framework of its 2nd Strategic Plan 2016-
2018, and defined the four work areas in which the
5.6 Social economy and foundations
a. Spanish Social Economy Employers’
Confederation (CEPES)
Within the framework of the 2030 Agenda, the
Confederation generates reports, provides training
and conducts dissemination and awareness-raising
activities. CEPES has published the document “The
contribution of the social economy to the SDGs
41
through development cooperation” , detailing how
these actions in third countries contribute to 14 of
the 17 SDGs. Among the training activities
undertaken, CEPES organised the course entitled
“The Social Economy in the 2030 Agenda for
Sustainable Development: Challenges and
Opportunities”.
The Confederation has also participated in
diverse institutional meetings, such as that of a
private sector working group, coordinated by the
Spanish Global Compact Network, created to
analyse and promote the role of Spanish companies
in working to achieve the SDGs.
Finally, CEPES has worked to raise awareness
among its member organisations, for example with a
plan of activities for 2019 to highlight the importance
of the 2030 Agenda for the Social Economy sector
and to emphasise its role in this context.
40
http://www.ccbiblio.es/grupos-de-trabajo/estrategicos/bibliotecas-agenda-2030/
41
https://www.cepes.es/files/publicaciones/105.pdf
The implementation of the 2030 AGENDA in Spain
library sector must be active. This Plan is aimed not only at
the institutions and public administrations concerned, but
also at professional associations and colleges, the private
sector, universities and research institutes.
b. Spanish Association of Foundations (AEF)
The AEF has committed to the SDGs by
identifying, highlighting and defending these goals
and targets, towards which the Spanish foundations
are currently working. As well as its direct
involvement in training, awareness-raising and the
generation and dissemination of knowledge, the
Association makes a significant contribution to
enhancing the institutional environment in this area.
Furthermore, the AEF conducted the following
important activities during 2018: DEMOS 2018, with
special attention to the 2030 Agenda; the
Specialisation Course in Foundation Management
for managers; the 10th Hispanic-Portuguese
Foundation Meeting “The Foundations and the
SDGs: Synergies and opportunities presented by
common challenges”, held in Mérida, with the
participation of over 70 Spanish and Portuguese
institutions, to discuss the challenges, opportunities
and synergies for the foundations with respect to the
2030 Agenda; and, in conjunction with Impact Hub
Madrid, the publication of a guide to good SDG
practices.
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5.7 Groups of experts associated with the 2030 Agenda

a. Spanish Network for Sustainable b. COTEC Foundation for Innovation
Development One of the main areas addressed in the 2019-
Of the actions carried out in 2018 by the Spanish
2021 Strategic Review of the COTEC Foundation is
Network for Sustainable Development (REDS), the
the 2030 Agenda. Thus, the Review declares its aim
Spanish branch of the Sustainable Development
to “… strengthen activities related to the social
Solutions Network (SDSN) which is associated with
impact of innovation, promote inclusive innovation
over 50 universities and research centres, an
and prevent inequality (between genders, territories,
outstanding element is its publication of the
and groups), aligning the Foundation’s programme
pioneering report “The SDGs in 100 Spanish cities”.
as closely as possible with the 2030 Agenda”. In
This document was promoted and coordinated by
addition to cross-cutting projects, specific initiatives
the Technical Secretariat of REDS, in collaboration
related to the SDGs have been undertaken, such as
with a group composed of academics from the
“The COTEC 100”, which seeks to incorporate
Autonomous and Polytechnic universities of Madrid
experts on the 2030 Agenda and the SDGs in the
and with other public and private institutions. REDS
COTEC network.
has also edited technical documents, articles and
Together with the Atlántida Project, the COTEC
other publications related to the 2030 Agenda, such
Foundation is working to develop a Curriculum for
as the “Guide to implementing the SDGs in the
Sustainable Human Development. This curricular
cities” (2018) and “Environmental education in
proposal addresses all the SDGs and offers a
Spain: reflections and proposals” (2019).
didactic framework for the development of World
In addition, REDS organises an annual meeting
42 Citizenship and Sustainable Development. The
to present its “Report on the Status of the SDGs” ,
Foundation has also organised dissemination and
and in the July 2018 presentation, it hosted the first
awareness activities in diverse formats, such as “The
public debate with the High Commissioner for the
essentials”, innovation-themed festivals and flagship
2030 Agenda. In July 2019, together with other civil
events.
society agencies, it organised the first SDG
Multiactor Forum, which brought together more than
a hundred experts in sustainable development, from
the fields of politics, public administration, the
private sector, academia and civil society, as a
contribution to the future National Strategy for
Sustainable Development. At this Forum, the High
Commissioner participated both in the specialised
work groups and in the public event. Another REDS
event was the international seminar Acelera 2030,
focused on the role of research and innovation.
Finally, REDS holds annual conferences on
cultural institutions and sustainable development, to
extend knowledge among cultural agents about the
2030 Agenda and its implementation in the sector.

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2019 Report on Sustainable development available at : http://reds-sdsn.es/sdg-index-2019

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 The implementation of the 2030 AGENDA in Spain

Conclusions and
6 future action:
accelerate to
accomplish
III) Renewed momentum for public policies in the
Following the fourth anniversary of the approval of
the 2030 Agenda, a new stage in its schedule has areas presenting greatest urgency will enable us
to effectively address the challenges arising in
been reached. In the next decade, action must be
the SDGs. Task organisation in transformative
taken to realise the 17 Sustainable Development
measures and lever policies, led by the Central
Goals (SDGs). The coming decade is one for action, in
which we all have a role to play in accelerating the Administration of the State (AGE), has facilitated
necessary implementation. the acceleration of processes and actions in this
regard. However, progress has been uneven as
Since the start of the first SDG Implementation
it is subject to legislative, political and
Plan in June 2018, Spain has been applying it with
administrative procedures. The following areas of
renewed vigour and determination. Public
priority attention have been identified:
administrations and civil society in general have
• Action to consolidate sustainable, inclusive
committed themselves to making the changes
development, with special attention to the
needed to accomplish the SDGs. This first Progress
weakest and most vulnerable. The prosperity
Report reflects the advances made and the major
of society as a whole must be our main
challenges that have emerged.
ambition, from a perspective of equal
In particular, the High Commission draws
opportunities in every context, including that of
attention to the following major aspects of the
gender. The aim must be to reduce inequality,
Report:
strengthen the welfare state, overcome the
socio-demographic challenge and underpin
I) The transformations needed to accomplish the 17
advances in health and education.
SDGs and their 169 targets will be difficult to
• A fair energy transition and the fight against
achieve unless the planned execution rates are
the climate emergency through renewable
accelerated. Public policies currently in progress
and sustainable models of energy supply. The
will require a more energetic approach. New
health of the land, seas and rivers, and the
public policies must be activated and, at the same
richness of the country's biodiversity, are vital
time, it is essential to mobilise society in general
to our future. This effort also contributes to
and citizens’ organisations and the private sector
the collective commitment to address climate
in particular.
challenges worldwide.
II) Spain’s system of governance already facilitates
• The promotion of the circular economy,
connection and coordination among the different
sustainable mobility and the purpose
levels of public administration. This is of
economy, seeking responsible consumption
fundamental importance, due to the degree of
and production. In this, we wish to promote an
decentralisation of the country and the major
socioecological outlook and framework of
importance of local action to achieve the 2030
economic activity, placing people at the
Agenda. The Sustainable Development Council, a
centre of attention.
vital part of the governance mechanism, provides a
• Fostering scientific and technological advance
channel for communication and an instrument for
to further modernisation of the country,
mobilising organised civil society. For maximum
through research, innovation and
effectiveness, these structures must be deployed to
development of the information and
fully apply their integrative capabilities, so that
knowledge society, from an inclusive and
public policies may be coordinated and
ethical perspective on technological transition.
implemented effectively. To ensure this, the central
government, and the High Commission in particular,
must provide decisive leadership.

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 PROGRESS REPORT
• A firm commitment to make lifelong
education a right, advancing people and
society.
• A system of public administration that is
efficient and transparent, uses resources
reasonably and ensures that they are
available to all citizens, thus generating the
confidence necessary for the 2030 Agenda to
be achieved.
IV) The drafting of a “Strategy for the achievement
of the Sustainable Development Goals (2020-
2030)” is an immediate priority. This Strategy
must align existing sectoral strategies within a
single framework and at the same time guide
future ones, establishing a shared vision and
mechanisms for localising and implementing the
2030 Agenda. In this respect, broad-based
participation is needed, so that the drafting and
consultation process will provide the basis for
real consensus among the public sector, all
levels of administration, the private sector and
civil society in general.
V) In this process, it will be essential to generate
transformative ecosystems, through the creation of
multi-stakeholder alliances, thus facilitating
global mobilisation. Public administrations, civil
society and the private sector, progressively, must
take ownership of the SDGs, making it their own
agenda. To do so, the impact generated by existing
partnerships must be multiplied and the pace of
change accelerated.
VI) Information, communication and awareness-
raising activities should continue and if possible
be intensified. Only through greater public
awareness can the values and objectives of the
2030 Agenda really form part of society as a
whole. Moreover, greater knowledge will enhance
compliance, as people will not only participate but
demand that others do so too. Universal
ownership of the SDGs, thus, is crucial to their
success.
VII)The actions and changes described will require
an information and monitoring system in
accordance with the indicators established by the
United Nations. In this respect, the National
Institute of Statistics has launched a statistical
information system for the 2030 Agenda, but this
should be reinforced by the creation of a map of
indicators, based on quantitative and qualitative
information, reflecting the actions taken and the
results achieved by each of the actors and
institutions working towards the SDGs (see
Annex 6).
78
VIII) During 2018, local and regional elections
were held throughput Spain. In addition, the new
EU legislature was inaugurated on 1 November.
This coincidence of new mandates provides an
opportunity to effectively combine public action
and social mobilisation, producing a multiplier
effect, and enabling us to accelerate towards
achieving the SDGs in Spain, in Europe and in
the world.
IX) There must be greater coherence between
internal and international action, strengthening
the incorporation of the SDG perspective within
foreign policy and development cooperation
policies, in bilateral and multilateral contexts,
such that Europe is firmly committed to
sustainable development. The coherence of
external and internal action must be sought on all
fronts and in all international spaces, but
especially within the United Nations. Appropriate
measures should be taken to monitor and ensure
compliance with commitments undertaken, via
the necessary provision of resources. In this
respect, too, the EU’s sustainable development
strategy will be further encouraged.
X) The international community, in forums such as
the United Nations, the G-20 and other regional
organisations, has acknowledged Spain’s input
in these areas, the positive energy displayed and
its inclusive, collaborative approach. This
contribution has been especially significant in the
EU and its institutions, where Spain has proposed
and supported highly ambitious commitments
regarding the SDGs. Spain holds the view that
the approach to the 2030 Agenda must form part
of both the internal and the external action of the
EU. Ideally, the European financial framework
(2021-27), currently being discussed among the
Member States and the European budgetary
authority, should incorporate the priorities that will
act as a transformative lever for the achievement
of the SDGs.
This, then, is the vision held by the Government
of Spain: one based on inclusive, sustainable
development, ensuring that no one is left behind. As
we enter this fifth year of the 2030 Agenda, there is
broad satisfaction with the degree of progress made
by all concerned. The collaborative work described,
led by the Government, whose commitment is
shared by all levels of public administration and of
civil society, and with resolute support for multi-
stakeholder alliances, has underpinned Spain’s
progress towards achieving the SDGs.